Update: This fight is scheduled to happen at UFC 82: "Pride of a Champion" and not UFC 81: "Breaking Point." Apologies for any confusion.
Cheick Kongo (11-3-1) and Heath Herring (27-13) with meet in a heavyweight clash at UFC 82: "Pride of a Champion" on March 1 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
MMAmania.com today confirmed that match up with Kongo's primary trainer here in the United States, Juanito Ibarra. However, both bout agreements are not signed even though it appears inevitable at this time.
"Kongo's here at my house already getting ready for the fight," said Ibarra. "This is going to be his year. Kongo's got all the talent to be a heavyweight champion real soon, I truly believe that. Heath's a tough opponent and this is going to be a big test."
"The French Sensation" sports a solid record inside the Octagon (4-1) since his debut in 2006, losing only to Carmelo Marrero via unanimous decision at UFC 64: "Unstoppable" in and ugly fight. He outlasted the highly touted Mirko Cro Cop his last time out at UFC 75: "Champion vs. Champion" to earn a victory on all three judges scorecards.
Herring is a grizzled mixed martial arts veteran who has had some bad luck since his Octagon debut in January 2007, losing two of three fights. "The Texas Crazy Horse" had Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira pretty much knocked out at UFC 73: "Stacked" last year but failed to finish the tough-as-nails Brazilian.
Herring went on to lose a unanimous decision.
The bout between Kongo and Herring is the third major heavyweight to be featured early in 2008. The two co-feature fights at UFC 81: "Breaking Point" on February 2 include Nogueira vs. Tim Sylvia for the vacant division title, as well as former champion Frank Mir welcoming Brock Lesnar to the eight-sided cage.
For the latest UFC 82 fight card click here.
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