Carl Deaton III is the opponent Joe Solecki has been looking for.
For weeks the UFC has been seeking an opponent for Solecki (12-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) and it’s found one in the shape of newcomer Deaton III (17-5 MMA, 0-0 UFC). The fight has not yet been signed but both parties have verbally agreed to fight Feb. 25 at UFC Fight Night 220. The card takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Deaton III first announced the bout on Facebook.
Deaton, 33, enters the UFC after back-to-back wins on the Michigan regional scene. He’s competed as a professional MMA fighter for over a decade.
Solecki, 29, was scheduled to fight Benoit Saint Denis at UFC Fight Night 219. However, when Saint Denis withdrew, the UFC pushed Solecki back one week. Solecki enters the bout coming off a win over Alex da Silva in June.
With the addition, the UFC Fight Night 220 lineup includes:
- Nikita Krylov vs. Ryan Spann
- Brendan Allen vs. Andre Muniz
- Don’Tale Mayes vs. Augusto Sakai
- Montana De La Rosa vs. Tatiana Suarez
- Mike Malott vs. Yohan Lainesse
- Erick Gonzalez vs. Trevor Peek
- Gabriella Fernandes vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
- Rafael Alves vs. Nurullo Aliev
- Jordan Leavitt vs. Victor Martinez
- Charles Johnson vs. Ode Osbourne
- Hailey Cowan vs. Ailin Perez
- Garrett Armfield vs. Jose Johnson
- Joe Solecki vs. Carl Deaton III
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 220.
