Tonya Evinger returns to bantamweight, fights Marion Reneau at UFC Austin

Former Invicta FC women’s bantamweight champion Tonya Evinger will take on Marion Reneau at UFC Fight Night: Austin in February.

After a brave but unsuccessful attempt to win the UFC women’s featherweight title, Tonya Evinger will make her return to the bantamweight division for her next Octagon appearance.

The UFC announced on Tuesday that Evinger will take on Marion Reneau at UFC Fight Night 126 in Austin, Texas on Sunday, February 18th. Fox Sports 1 will televise the night’s main card.

Evinger (19-6, 1 NC) took on Cris Cyborg on short notice at UFC 214 back in July, losing a one-sided bout by fourth-round TKO. The 36-year-old had previously spent nearly four years with Invicta FC, ultimately capturing the promotion’s bantamweight title. Her last fight before signing with the UFC was a submission win in a rematch with Yana Kunitskaya.

Reneau (8-3-1) is coming off an entertaining last-second TKO win over Talita Bernardo at UFC Rotterdam. “The Belizean Bruiser” is unbeaten in her past three fights, with wins over the aforementioned Bernardo and Milana Dudieva, plus a draw vs. former title challenger Bethe Correia. Reneau is currently #10 in the UFC’s official women’s bantamweight rankings.

While not yet officially confirmed by the promotion, UFC Fight Night: Austin is expected to a feature a welterweight main event between Donald Cerrone and Yancy Medeiros.