Kurt Pellegrino (10-2) recently revealed during an interview with TheFightWorksPodcast.com that he will face Joe Stevenson (27-7) in a lightweight clash at UFC 74 on August 25.
Pellegrino — a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blackbelt under top 155-pound contender Hermes Franca — is fresh off a win over Nate Mohr at UFC Fight Night 9 via ankle lock. He fights out of "The Armory" in Jupiter, Florida, and boasts a 2-1 record inside the Octagon.
He will compete in the upcoming Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) World Submission Championship that will be held from May 5-6 in Trenton, N.J. It's an insane weight class (145-169 pounds) that includes incredible grapplers such as Marcelo Garcia, Renzo Gracie and Saulo Ribeirois, among others.
Good luck, Kurt.
Stevenson is also coming off a big win at UFN 9, submitting Melvin Guillard via guillotine choke in the opening minutes of their bout. Since winning season two of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), "Daddy" has only stumbled once, losing a unanimous decision to Josh Neer at UFC Fight Night 4.
However, since dipping down to lightweight, he's looked sharp. And without a doubt, a win over the gritty Pellegrino would have him knocking on the door for a title shot later this year or early next.
For the developing UFC 74 fight card -- which includes the heavyweight showdown between Randy Couture and Gabriel Gonzaga -- click here.
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