Longtime Shooto 143-pound champion, Alexandra Franca "Pequeno" Noguiera (13-4-2), will make his WEC debut against Jose Aldo (9-1) at WEC 34: "Faber vs Pulver" at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, Calif., on June 1, according to Sherdog.com.
Noguiera is a submission machine with nine of his 13 wins coming by way of submission. He was previously rumored to fight Leonard Garcia to determine who would next line for a title shot after the Pulver-Faber title tilt; however, Garcia was recently arrested with possession and distribution charges stemming from a major cocaine trafficking ring in Texas.
Therefore, it appears that Aldo has been tabbed as his replacement. He also competed under the Shooto banner, as well as Pancrase and other promotions, overseas in Japan and throughout his native Brazil prior to this match up.
This will also mark the WEC debut of Aldo, who will look to spoil Nogueira's highly touted premiere.
The WEC is starting to become a big time organization in which lighter fighters can make a name for themselves. And with the biggest fight in the organization's history set for June 1 (Faber vs. Pulver), adding Nogueira to the card will only further that goal.
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