Marcus Davis will get a chance to fight in front of his fellow New Englanders when the UFC brings him Nate Diaz on the main card of the "Edgar vs. Penn 2" event at the TD Garden on August 28 in Boston, Massachusetts.
"The Irish Hand Grenade" (17-6) exploded against Jonathan Goulet at UFC 113: "Machida vs. Shogun II" back on May 8 to score a technical knockout finish and snap a rare two-fight losing skid.
After Dan Hardy squeaked past him with a split decision win at UFC 99: "The Comeback," Ben Saunders obliterated him in the clinch at UFC 106: "Ortiz vs. Griffin 2" just a few months later. Those consecutive losses effectively ended his welterweight title hopes after going 8-1 over a span of two and a half years.
Now Davis can continue his climb back up the 170-pound ladder against the wily Diaz.
The Cesar Gracie product is currently working through his issues with the Tennessee Athletic Commission for his role in the CBS brawl at the Strikeforce: "Nashville" event back in April and is expected to be ready to go by Aug. 28.
Diaz (12-5) has been hot and cold during his 155-pound run through the Zuffa organization. After submitting Melvin Guillard at Fight Night 19 in 2009, he lost a very questionable split decision to Gray Maynard earlier this year.
Since then, Diaz has moved up to welterweight with winning results. He stopped Rory Markham via technical knockout at UFC 111: "St. Pierre vs. Hardy" in March and could push himself further up the rankings if he finishes Davis.
"Edgar vs. Penn 2" will feature the rematch between Frankie Edgar and B.J. Penn for "The Answer's" lightweight title, a number one 155-pound contender bout in the form of Kenny Florian vs. Gray Maynard and of course, the highly anticipated heavyweight fight between James Toney and Randy Couture.
For the latest UFC 118 fight card and line-up click here.
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