Johnny Bedford will get a second chance to finish Rani Yahya -- the legal way -- after their unfortunate "no contest" on the Fight Pass "Prelims" of the UFC Fight Night 39 mixed martial arts (MMA) event, which took place earlier this month inside Du Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
A "Brutal" headbutt brought an end to their bantamweight bangfest overseas.
Following the bout, Bedford apologized for his post-fight meltdown (read it here) and asked the promotion to consider a rematch for the upcoming UFC Fight Night 44 event on Jun 28, 2014, inside the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas (fight card).
Request granted.
Prior to his Abu Dhabi do-over, Bedford (19-10, 1 NC) saw his three-fight win streak snapped when Bryan Caraway choked him out at UFC 159. The submission defeat was his first inside the Octagon, but marked the ninth time in 10 losses that he was upended by way of tap, nap or snap.
Yahya (19-8) is back in the bantamweight division on the heels of a split-decision loss to Tom Niinimaki at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 18 Finale last November. It was just the second loss for the Brazilian at 145 pounds (the first coming to Chad Mendes) and spoiled a three-fight winning streak.
Who takes their second go-round?
Aside from the featherweight headliner between Cub Swanson and Jeremy Stephens (more on that here), TUF 17 champ Kelvin Gastelum will hook 'em up against fellow welterweight prospect Nicholas Musoke, while Andy Enz collides with 170-pound stalwart Marcelo Guimaraes.
Deep in the heart of Texas!