Joe Stevenson (28-8) will look to get back in the 155-pound title hunt when he takes on Gleison Tibau (15-5) at UFC 86 on July 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
MMAmania.com learned that the bout was possible late last week and confirmed the match up earlier this morning.
"Daddy" just lost his most recent fight with BJ Penn via rear naked choke for the vacant lightweight title at UFC 80: "Rapid Fire" back in January. It was a spirited effort; however, Stevenson suffered a bad cut early in the bout that more or less doomed his chances for success early on in the fight.
He is the season two winner of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) who has complied an impressive record inside the Octagon (5-2) since the show wrapped in 2005 and he dropped down from welterweight.
Tibau himself had won three straight UFC fights prior to locking horns with Tyson Griffin at UFC 81: "Breaking Point" back in February. His only other loss inside the Octagon was against Nick Diaz at UFC 65: "Bad Intentions" back in November 2006.
Decent fight that will more than likely make the pay-per-view (PPV) broadcast along with the showdown between Patrick Cote and Ricardo Almeida, as well as the main event between UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson and Forrest Griffin.
For more on the developing UFC 86 fight card click here.
(Thanks to MMAmania.com contributor "Mr. NC-17" for the assist.)
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