McKenna has new Brazilian opponent for UFC return

Cory McKenna was beaten by Jacqueline Amorim at UFC Fight Night 239

British strawweight Cory McKenna has a new opponent for her return to action on 12 October at UFC Fight Night 244 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

She was due to face Brazil's Polyana Viana at UFC Fight, but will instead take on Julia Polastri, also of Brazil.

Welsh fighter McKenna has eight wins and three losses in her professional career, while Polastri has 12 wins and four defeats.

McKenna, 25, was defeated by Jacqueline Amorim in her last bout in March.

Amorim locked in an early armbar for the submission victory over the Welsh grappler.

The fight marked McKenna's return from battling a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), long Covid and a couple of concussions.

The Cwmbran fighter hit the headlines in August 2022 by becoming the first female in UFC history to earn a submission win with a Von Flue choke.

McKenna earned her spot in UFC through Dana White's Contender Series in 2020, while Polastri graduated in 2023 after she had been unsuccessful in 2021.