MMAmania.com (www.mmamania.com) learned late last week that Dustin Hazelett (10-3) has been approached about taking a fight with Josh Koscheck (9-2) at UFC 82 at the Nationwide Arena on March 1 in Columbus, Ohio.
We didn't pass along news of the welterweight match up because of "Kos" apparently being on the short list of competitors to face Matt Hughes at UFC 79: "Nemesis" on December 29. Now that Georges St. Pierre has filled that spot it is possible that Koscheck and Hazelett could agree to terms on a bout agreement.
Nothing is signed or official at this time, however, according to our source close to the Hazelett fight camp.
Koscheck dropped a unanimous decision his last time out at UFC 74: "Respect" against St. Pierre. The NCAA Division I wrestling champion and four-time All American at Edinboro University was on a five-fight winning streak inside the Octagon prior to running into "Rush." It was a fight that cost him a shot at the 170-pound title ... for now.
He'll look to get back on track against the Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist who fights out of the Jorge Gurgel Mixed Martial Arts Academy in the Buckeye State.
Hazelett is on a bit of a low-key run, winning his last three fights since dropping his UFC debut to crafty veteran Tony DeSouza via submission back in October 2006. The 21-year-old most recently tapped out Jonathan Goulet at UFC Fight Night 11 just this past September in less than 80 seconds.
This fight with Koscheck -- if it happens -- will be the biggest test to date without question for Hazelett thus far in his early professional fighting career. He'll have the hometown crowd behind him and possibly an edge in grappling ... but will it be enough?
For the most recent UFC 82 fight card click here.
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