Former number one welterweight contender Jon Fitch is in talks to possibly return to the Octagon against undefeated submission specialist Paulo Thiago at UFC 100 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 11.
Bout agreements have not been signed at this time; however, both sides appear to be open to the 170-pound contest.
For Fitch it will provide him with an opportunity to exact revenge -- the Brazilian most recently stunned his good friend and American Kickboxing Academy training partner, Josh Koscheck, with a fight-ending first round upper cut at UFC 95: "Sanchez vs. Stevenson" just last month.
Thiago came into the bout Thiago riding a four-fight win streak for the Jungle Fight promotion last year. Prior to the upset, which was perhaps more shocking because of the fashion in which he did it, Thiago stopped Luis Dutra Jr. via technical knockout (strikes) in round one of their bout in September 2008.
He isn't getting any free passes now that he's in the big leagues ... the promotion appears to be throwing him right in the deep end with some of the best the division has to offer.
Fitch scored a dominating unanimous decision win over Akihiro Gono in his last performance at UFC 94: "St. Pierre vs. Penn 2" on Jan. 31, overcoming the sight of the charismatic Japanese standout and his corner dressed in drag.
The Purdue University wrestler now boasts nine victories for the promotion in 10 attempts. The lone blemish on his record is to welterweight deity Georges "Rush" St. Pierre in their championship match from UFC 87 "Seek and Destroy" on August 9.
He'll need to put together another impressive win streak to get back on top of the division. And it will likely continue with Thiago on the historic pay-per-view (PPV) card. Let's just hope we get to watch it.
UFC 100 features two major title fights: Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir will tangle to declare an undisputed division champion and Georges St. Pierre will once again defend his 170-pound strap against number one contender, Thiago Alves.
In addition, TUF 9 coaches, Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping, are slated to meet and determine who earns the right to challenge the reigning middleweight champion later in 2009.
For the latest UFC 100 fight card and rumors click here.
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