Lanky and likable UFC veteran Corey Hill continues his improbable comeback when he competes for the fourth time this year, taking on former WEC Lightweight Champion Rob McCullough at the upcoming Tachi Palace Fights 6: "High Stakes" event on Sept. 9 in Lemoore, California.
The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 5 contestant sustained a grisly leg fracture when his opponent at UFC Fight Night 16: "Fight for the Troops," Dale Hartt, checked a kick from Hill during their lightweight bout at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, N.C., in December 2008.
The fallen fighter was originally expected to be out up to eighteen months after undergoing surgery to repair the fracture, yet Hill was back in the gym just four months later.
He defied the odds by not only coming back earlier than anticipated -- but by taking the unanimous decision in his return fight against Jason Trzewieczynski at January's "Raging Wolf" event from the Seneca Niagara Casino and Hotel in Niagara, NY.
Hill was unfazed by a submission loss to Mark Holst at XKL: "Evolution 1" in March and improved his record to 4-3 by tapping out Kit Cope just last month at RW 8: "Cage Supremacy" in Salamanca.
"Razor" Rob will be his toughest test to date -- but could also put an exclamation point on his comeback should he prevail.
McCullough has been hot and cold since coughing up the WEC strap to Jamie Varner in early 2008, compiling a 3-3 record during that span and ending up fighting outside of the Zuffa promotion for the first time in over four years.
Fortunately it ended in victory, as the Huntington Beach native pounded out Isaac DeJesus at TPF 5: "Stars and Strikes" on July 9.
Like Hill, McCullough is also working his way back into the big leagues and the co-main event may end up stealing the show on Sept. 9 at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino.
"High Stakes" will feature a main event between former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion Doug Marshall and The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 11 contestant Kyacey Uscola. Diego Saraiva, Micah Miller and Joe Henle are also expected to appear.