Corey Anderson v. Patrick Cummins, David Branch v. Thiago Santos added to UFC Atlantic City

When the UFC announced it’s return to Atlantic City for UFC Fight Night 128, two weeks after UFC 223, many were skeptical. What talent would the UFC churn out after a stacked card inside the Barclays Center? The UFC has answered with some heavy hitters.

New York’s David Branch will look to get back to his winning ways as he faces Thiago Santos. A former World Series of Fighting champion, Branch (21-4) won 11 fights in a row before losing his third bout in the UFC to Luke Rockhold at UFC Fight Night 116 last September. He was scheduled to face Yoel Romero, but the fight was pulled once Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker had to pull out of his fight against Rockhold. Romero took Whittaker’s spot, leaving Branch without an opponent.

Santos (17-5) has won his last four fights, all by TKO. It’s a quick turnaround fight for him, as he last fought against Anthony Smith at UFC Fight Night 125 in early February. Both fighters are looking to make a claim in the middleweight division. A win for either in Atlantic City could propel them to a title opportunity.

Another fight added includes Doylestown, Pennsylvania’s Patrick Cummins facing Corey “Overtime” Anderson. Cummins (10-4) has become a key feature in New York / New Jersey events; his last two fights were in Buffalo for UFC 210 and on Long Island for UFC on Fox 25. He won both of those fights against Jan Błachowicz (UFC 210) and LI’s Gian Villante at the Nassau Coliseum. He was supposed to face Anderson (9-4) at UFC 217 inside the Barclays Center, before backing out due to injury. Now, Atlantic City is calling for both of them to throw down. Anderson has lost two in a row, looking to get back on track.

These two are just a few of many bouts already announced for the UFC’s return to Atlantic City. No main event has been announced yet. UFC Fight Night 128 takes place inside Boardwalk Hall on April 21st. Tickets go on sale Friday, March 2nd.