Up-and-coming lightweights Kyle Bradley (14-6) and Rafael dos Anjos (12-4) have been tapped for a possible 155-pound showdown at the upcoming UFC Fight Night 20 event, tentatively scheduled for the Patriot Center on Jan. 11, in Fairfax, Virginia.
MMAmania.com was able to confirm the proposed match-up with one of the fight camps earlier today.
Bradley was forced to withdraw from his UFC Fight Night 19: "Diaz vs. Guillard" bout against Sam Stout after a training injury left him unable to compete on the Sept. 16 card.
He's been in a hurry to prove that his first round technical knockout win over Phillipe Nover at UFC 98: "Evans vs. Machida" back in May, which took less than 65 seconds, was no fluke.
That’s because the 155-pound bout was mired in controversy when it appeared that Nover — The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 lightweight finalist — was in trouble after a big slam and subsequent flurry from Bradley. However, replays showed that Nover appeared to be maneuvering for a submission when the referee in charge of the action, Yves Lavigne, stepped in to stop the action.
Regardless, the result stood and Bradley registered his first win inside the Octagon in three attempts. He’ll now have the chance to make it two out of four against the Gracie Fusion fighter.
The Brazilian notched his first win inside the Octagon by outpointing Rob Emerson at UFC 103: "Franklin vs. Belfort" back on Sept. 19 after coming off the wrong end of Tyson Griffin decision at UFC Fight Night 18 back on April 1. Despite the loss, he was game the entire bout, earning him and Griffin an extra 30 G’s for putting on "Fight of the Night."
Dos Anjos definitely has skills. Aside from winning nine straight prior to UFC 91, the Fury FC fighter was stifling Jeremy Stephens for most of their bout until a thunderous uppercut nearly air-mailed him back to Rio.
UFC Fight Night 20 is expected to feature a main event between contending lightweights Nate Diaz and Gray Maynard. In addition, former TUF stars Josh Koscheck and Chris Leben have also been penciled in to do battle in separate bouts.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this developing fight card.