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It'll be prospect vs. pioneer at the UFC's first big show of 2020. Maycee Barber, a 21-year-old blue-chipper, and Roxanne Modafferi have verbally agreed to fight each other in a women's flyweight matchup at UFC 246 on Jan. 18, sources told ESPN on Wednesday, confirming news first reported by MMA Junkie. The card is targeted for Las Vegas, but the location has not been finalized. The Barber-Modafferi fight has not been officially announced by the UFC. Barber (8-0) is one of the top up-and-coming fighters in the UFC in any division. She was recently ranked No. 6 on ESPN's 25 under 25 for MMA. She is coming off a first-round TKO of Gillian Robertson at UFC Boston on Oct. 18 and has finished every pro opponent except one. Barber, a Colorado native who trains out of Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has stated her goal to become the youngest champion in UFC history. Jon Jones currently holds that record, at 23 years old. Modafferi (23-16) is a legendary name in women's MMA. This will be her 40th career fight, making her among the all-time leaders in that category among women. A Las Vegas resident, she has won four of her past seven fights but is coming off a unanimous-decision loss to Jennifer Maia at UFC San Antonio in July. Modafferi, 37, has been a pro since 2003 and has had multiple stints in the UFC and on "The Ultimate Fighter" reality show. UFC 246 does not yet have a main event but is the card that has been tied to Conor McGregor's return to the Octagon. No deal has been struck with McGregor and the UFC yet. The event also will feature a lightweight fight between Drew Dober and prospect Nasrat Haqparast and a featherweight fight between Grant Dawson and Chas Skelly.
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