Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) President Dana White has finally made good on his promise and booked a pair of flyweights for a pay-per-view (PPV) main event.
Reigning 125-pound champion Demetrious Johnson will put his title on the line against streaking Russian import Ali Bagautinov in the headlining affair of UFC 174, which takes place on June 14, 2014, inside the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
"Showdown" Joe Ferraro brought word of the pairing earlier today.
Johnson (19-2) is fresh off a blistering first-round knockout against longtime rival Joseph Benavidez at the UFC on FOX 9 event back in December. His lights-out finish against "Joe Jitsu" marked the champ's fifth straight win, as well as his second consecutive finish.
He just keeps getting better.
So too, does Bagautinov (13-2). The Dagestani has now won 11 straight -- three inside the Octagon -- including impressive performances against Tim Elliot (UFC 167) and John Lineker (UFC 169). "Puncher King" has nine finishes in 13 wins.
He'll need to bring his A-game if he hopes to trap the "Mouse."
Also throwing hands in Vancouver is Rory MacDonald, who could be one win away from challenging for the promotion's welterweight strap, currently held by Johny Hendricks. But he's not going anywhere near "Bigg Rigg" unless he can dispose of the red-hot Tyron Woodley in the UFC 174 co-main event (more on that here).
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more details and fight card updates to UFC 174: "Johnson vs. Bagautinov" as they become available.