The former two-division MMA champion, who missed out on his first chance to join the UFC, has signed to make his debut at UFC 330.
UFC 330, scheduled for August 15, will mark the UFC’s long-awaited return to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for the first time since UFC Fight Night in 2019, which saw newly crowned UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje knock out Edson Barboza in the main event.
UFC 330 boasts two title fights at the top of the card, with Islam Makhachev and Mackenzie Dern starting their welterweight and strawweight titles against Ian Machado Harry and Gillian Robertson.
UFC signs Lucas Fernando for Makhacheva vs. Machado Harry Card fight
The card also features plenty of other high-profile bouts to support the two title fights, and Guilherme Cruz was the first to report that the UFC has signed Lucas Fernando to make his debut against Rafael Tobias in Philadelphia.
With a record of 13-3, Fernando started his professional MMA career 5-0 before losing a decision to Diego Diaz at Shooto Brasil 100 in 2020.
Moving up to middleweight, the Brazilian joined LFA and put together a four-fight winning streak, capped by a fourth-round stoppage at LFA 152, to win the 185-pound division. belt in 2023, giving him a chance to compete for a UFC contract at Dana White’s Contender Series.
Fernando lost to his compatriot Cesar Almeida. DVKS before he returned to LFA later that year at LFA 173, where he lost his middleweight belt to fellow current UFC fighter Azamat Bekoev.
After two more wins at middleweight in 2024, Fernando won the LFA light heavyweight belt by knockout in 63 seconds last August and successfully defended it with another first-round finish at LFA 235 in May.
Rafael Tobias returns after losing his debut at UFC 326
The 29-year-old will look to extend his winning streak to five fights in his promotional debut at UFC 330, where he faces fellow fighter. DVKS veteran Tobias in another light heavyweight bout.
Tobias’ professional MMA career began with an 8-0 run that included six wins to go before he was stopped by Miguel Porto in his only LFA match in 2023.
Rafael Tobias (red gloves) fights Diyar Nurgozaj (blue gloves) during UFC 326 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
“Bipolar” won five victories in a row and earned his own DVKS opportunity last May when he submitted previously undefeated Jair de Oliveira to earn himself a UFC contract.
The 23-year-old fighter made his promotional debut earlier this year at UFC 326, where he lost to Diyar Nurgojaj via unanimous decision.
Rafael Tobias (red gloves) fights Diyar Nurgozaj (blue gloves) during UFC 326 at T-Mobile Arena. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
With the addition of Tobias vs. Fernando, UFC 330 now features a total of 12 fights scheduled, with only about a month left until the event.
UFC 330 fight card
Main Event: Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Harry for the UFC welterweight title
Co-main event: Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson for UFC Strawweight Championship
Erin Blanchfield vs Jasmine Jasudavicius
Edson Barbosa vs. Esteban Ribovich
Vicente Luque vs Tresean Gore
Mansoor Abdul-Malik vs. Dustin Stoltzfus
Jeremiah Wells vs. Myktybek Orolbay
Geoff Neal vs Come On
Neil Magny vs Ramiz Brahimaj
Jalyn Turner vs Kaue Fernandez
Charles Johnson vs. Jose Ochoa
Rafael Tobias vs Lucas Fernando
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