The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) Season 8 champion Efrain Escudero (12-0) will try to continue his meteoric rise through the lightweight division when he faces Nik Lentz (17-3-1) at UFC Fight Night 20, which is tentatively scheduled to take place in northern Virgina on Monday, Jan. 11, 2010.
No venue is known at this time. And the promotion has yet to officially announce the Spike TV event. Nonetheless, expect those announcements to come soon.
Escudero bested season favorite, Phillipe Nover, via unanimous decision at TUF 8 Finale to capture the 155-pound crown from The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 13.
The collegiate wrestling standout continued his winning ways when he floored the venerable Cole Miller in their lightweight clash at UFC 103: "Franklin vs. Belfort" just over a month ago.
Escudero will look to push his perfect record to 13-0 with a win on the Spike TV broadcast.
Lentz is on a eight-fight win streak that dates back more than two years. He is a Minnesota Martial Arts Academy product who has competed primarily on the local circuit for most of his career.
"The Carnie" recently scored a unanimous decision win over Rafaello Oliveira in his Octagon debut at UFC 103: "Franklin vs. Belfort" back on Sept. 19 and also outpointed UFC veteran Drew Fickett at SNMMA: "Beatdown at 4 Bears" to make a name for himself earlier this year.
A win over Escudero would undoubtedly leapfrog him into bigger opportunities -- and some very stiff competition.
Stay dialed in to MMAmania.com for more on UFC Fight Night 20 as additional details emerge in the near future.
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