Brian Stann will welcome blue chip prospect Phil Davis to the big leagues when the pair collide in a 205-pound match up at UFC 109: "Relentless" from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Feb. 6, 2010.
The promotion made the announcement earlier today, indicating that it does not intend to handle the 25-year-old four-time All-American wrestler from Penn State with kid gloves by matching him up against a former WEC light heavyweight champion in his Octagon debut.
Indeed, Stann is on a two-fight win streak, outpointing Rodney Wallace and Steve Cantwell with unanimous decisions in his two most recent appearances. In fact, he handed "Sho Nuff the Master" his first-ever career loss at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 10 Finale earlier this month.
And "All American" will look to do the same against "Mr. Wonderful" on SuperBowl weekend.
Davis is an absolute beast on the mat, winning the NCAA Division I at 197 pounds in 2008. He made the transition to mixed martial arts shortly after graduation, winning his first four bouts in impressive fashion before getting the invitation to join the deep UFC 205-pound roster.
He most recently stopped David Baggett via first round submission (rear naked choke) at Ultimate Cage Fighting Challenge (UCFC) earlier this year.
Will he be ready to handle the competition level in the UFC or will he suffer the same fate as another decorated collegiate wrestling champion -- and MMA hopeful -- Jake Rosholt, who was cut by the promotion after a handful of losses?
We'll find out soon enough.
UFC 109 will feature a light heavyweight battle between elder statesmen Randy "The Natural" Couture and Mark "The Hammer" Coleman. Middleweights Nate Marquardt and Chael Sonnen will battle in the co-featured fight of the night for perhaps an opportunity to challenge 185-pound deity, Anderson Silva, in early 2010 when he recovers from an elbow injury.
To check out the latest UFC 109: "Relentless" fight card and rumors click here.
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