The city of bantamweight love.
Top 135-pound prospect Michael McDonald will make his second appearance inside the Octagon when he tangles with former Ring of Combat (ROC) standout Nick Pace at the upcoming UFC 133 event scheduled for the Wells Faro Center on August 6 in Philadelphia, PA.
The promotion announced the pending match-up earlier today.
McDonald (12-1) got his start under the Zuffa banner at WEC 52: "Faber vs. Mizugaki," tapping out Clint Godfrey by way of armbar in just under three minutes of the opening frame.
"Mayday" followed that up by handing Edwin Figueroa the first loss of his career after taking home the unanimous decision win at last month's UFC Fight Night 24 event in Seattle.
Like McDonald, Pace (6-1) has just two fights as a Zuffa employee, however his start in the WEC was not as fruitful, falling to Demetrious Johnson via unanimous decision at WEC 51: "Aldo vs. Gamburyan" back on September 30.
The Tiger Schulmann student rebounded by winning his UFC debut in impressive fashion, strangling Will Campuzano via Pillory choke in the waning minutes of round three at last December's Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 12 Finale.
Which one of these 135-pounders will advance to the next level of competition?
UFC 133 is expected to feature a middleweight mash-up between longtime UFC veterans Alessio "Legionarius" Sakara and Jorge "El Conquistador" Rivera.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for future updates to this still-developing fight card.
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