Pete Sell (7-4) and Josh Burkman (9-6) are penciled in to clash in a welterweight bout at UFC 90: "Silva vs. Cote" at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Ill., on October 25, according to TriStateFighter.com.
Matt Serra – Sell’s mentor and coach – broke the news in a recent radio interview of his fighter’s 170-pound debut against "The People’s Warrior" in the "Windy City."
"Drago" has endured a recent string of bad luck inside the Octagon, losing his last three fights. He had Scott Smith all but finished in their epic battle back at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 4 Finale; however, he was iced with a Hail Mary punch when he went in for the kill.
He then dropped a unanimous decision to top 185-pound contender Thales Leites at UFC 69: "Shootout" and was knocked out in his next appearance by Nate Quarry in the third round at UFC Fight Night 11 after dictating the pace of most of that fight.
Sell should have a size and power advantage over most of his opponents in the 170-pound division – he’s a big guy who can pack a punch. This decision to test the welterweight waters is perhaps his last chance to prove that he belongs in the premier mixed martial arts promotion on the planet.
Burkman, too, has not had much recent success within the eight-sided cage. In fact, he has lost three of his last four fights and the lone win over Forrest Petz during that span was a controversial split decision.
To his credit, Burkman has not been in against any marshmallows during the rough stretch -- Dustin Hazelett, Mike Swick and Karo Parisyan are all very talented fighters and very tough opponents.
It is also very important for him to bring home the win, making this a fight that could provide some very serious action as both fighter press for a convincing finish.
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