Vinc Pichel vs. Alexander Yakovlev slated for UFC on ESPN+ 21

Vinc Pichel will travel into hostile territory when he takes on Alexander Yakovlev in Moscow.

Two lightweights will look to turn their most recent wins into streaks when the UFC returns to Russia this fall.

Vinc Pichel (12-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) will travel into hostile territory when he takes on Alexander Yakovlev (24-8-1 MMA, 3-4 UFC) at UFC on ESPN+ 21 on Nov. 9 from CSKA Arena in Moscow.

A person with knowledge of the booking confirmed the news with MMA Junkie following a report from Russian outlet SportsBox. The person asked to remain anonymous since the UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

Pichel, 36, rebounded from a June 2018 loss to Gregor Gillespie when he defeated Roosevelt Roberts at UFC Minneapolis in June. The “TUF: Live” alumnus has won five out of his last six bouts. Since he returned from a three-year layoff, Pichel has won three out of four contests.

His opponent, Yakovlev, last competed at UFC on ESPN+ 7 in April. On the heels of a two and a half year layoff, Yakovlev snapped a two-fight losing streak when he submitted promotional newcomer Alex Silva by rear-naked choke in the second round. The submission was Yakovlev’s first since 2011.

With the addition, the UFC on ESPN+ 21 lineup includes:

• Junior Dos Santos vs. Alexander Volkov
• Shamil Gamzatov vs. Klidson Abreu
• Ed Herman vs. Gadzhimurad Antigulov
• Abubakar Nurmagomedov vs. David Zawada
• Grigorii Popov vs. Davey Grant
• Magomed Ankalaev vs. Dalcha Lungiambula
• Roman Kopylov vs. Karl Roberson
• Vinc Pichel vs. Alexander Yakovlev