Former WEC Light Heavyweight Champion Brain Stann will make his first appearance as a middleweight when he faces off against Mike Massenzio at UFC on Versus 2. Heavy.com first reported the bout which is set to take place on August 1 from EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah.
The former Marine quickly made a name for himself in the MMA community using some serious power to dispatch of the first six opponents of his career in the first round via strikes. After suffering his first loss in a rematch with Steve Cantwell at WEC 35, the WEC's light heavyweight division was absorbed into the UFC, where Stann hasn't enjoyed nearly the same success as he did in the UFC's sister promotion.
Now 8-3, Brian has gone just 2-2 inside the Octagon, losing to Krzysztof Soszynski at UFC 97 while defeating Steve Cantwell in their trilogy fight at UFC Fight Night: "Diaz vs. Guillard" and Rodney Wallace at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale. Stann's less than stellar ground game was thoroughly exploited his last time out at UFC 109 against top prospect Phil Davis.
Mike Massenzio (11-3) brings a strong grappling pedigree to the table having been crowned champion in numerous Grappler's Quest and North American Grappling Associtation (N.A.G.A.) tournaments as well as the 2004 Junior College National Wrestling Tournament.
"The Master of Disaster" has gone 1-1 in the UFC but hasn't fought since UFC 92 where he lost to C.B. Dollaway due to numerous injuries and bout cancellations.
UFC on Versus 2 will be the second such event on the cable network, hence the number 2, and is expected to feature contests between Jon Jones and Vladimir Matyushenko as well as Takanori Gomi and Joe Stevenson.
Keep it locked to MMAmania.com for information on UFC on Versus 2 as it breaks.
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