Jess Liaudin (12-10) and David Bielkheden (12-6) will each drop 15 pounds and meet in a lightweight bout at UFC 89: "Leben vs. Bisping" in Birmingham, England, at The National Indoor Arena (NIA) on October 18.
MMAmania.com confirmed over the weekend that the 155-pound match up is possible for the show, which is slated to air for free via tape delay on Spike TV.
Liaudin – who is a veteran of the European UFC circuit as a welterweight – will try his hand in the division after suffering back-to-back defeats his last two times out at 170 pounds.
Indeed, the losses to Paul Taylor (split decision) and Marcus Davis (knockout) likely prompted the move even though the French-born British fighter won his first two fights inside the Octagon.
Bielkheden – a Brazilian Top Team member and jiu-jitsu black belt – was a veteran of the Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) scene, having competed under the Pride FC and Shooto banners, among others.
The "Scandinavian Lion" was on a two-fight win streak before running into a buzz saw, Diego Sanchez, in his Octagon debut back at UFC 82: "Pride of a Champion" in March. "The Nightmare" had Bielkheden tapping because of strikes late in round one.
UFC 89 features the middleweight tilt between Michael Bisping and Chris Leben, as well as a potential welterweight war when Thiago Alves and Diego Sanchez meet in the center of the cage.
(Thanks to MMAmania.com contributor "Mr. NC-17" for the reminder.)
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