Up-and-coming middleweights Nick Catone (6-2) and Steve Steinbeiss (4-3) have been booked for a 185-pound showdown at the upcoming UFC Fight Night 20 event, tentatively scheduled for the Patriot Center on Jan. 11, in Fairfax, Virginia.
Catone made the announcement via his official website yesterday.
Training under Brazilian jiu-jitsu stud Ricardo Almeida in Hamilton, N.J., Catone made his Octagon debut against Derek Downey at UFC Fight Night 17, submitting "The Gentleman" via keylock.
He followed that up less than two months later against Ultimate Fighter vet Tim Credeur at UFC Fight Night 18. This time it would be "Crazy" who would capitalize, submitting Catone in the second round of their April 1 scrap via rear naked choke.
Catone went on to drop his second straight against Mark Munoz via split decision at UFC 102: "Couture vs. Noguiera" back on August 29 and will no doubt run the risk of getting released unless he wins big over Steinbeiss.
Like his opponent, Steinbeiss is at a dangerous point in his UFC career, having dropped two straight under the Zuffa banner.
"The Hooligan" made a brief appearance for the WEC, falling to Carmelo Marerro via split decision in November 2008. In his UFC debut at Fight Night 19 in September of last year, he was quickly submitted by Ryan Jensen via guillotine choke in the first round.
It's do or die for both combatants in 2010.
UFC Fight Night 20 is expected to feature a rematch between Ultimate Fighter rivals Gray Maynard (8-0) and Nate Diaz (11-4), who will duke it out in a possible number one contender bout for the 155-pound title.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more updates on the Jan. 11 card as they become available.
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