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They can't all be Brazilian.
Haitian-Canadian Yves Jabouin has been booked to throw leather against American Ian Loveland at the upcoming UFC 134: "Silva vs. Okami" event on Aug. 27 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Dana White announced the pending contest earlier today, saying:
"Ian Loveland and Yves Jabouin have verbally agreed to fight on August 27 in Rio De Janeiro. Both are exceptionally tough competitors and this will be Jabouin's first bout in the bantamweight division."
Jabouin's move to the 135-pound division was necessitated by a 1-3 standing in his last four bouts at featherweight including a highlight reel flying triangle submission loss in his most recent bout against Pablo Garza back in April.
Will he find the terrain is not so tough in the bantamweight division?
In the beginning stages of his career, Ian Loveland was the very definition of mediocrity. The Team Quest member struggled to a 7-7 record, but not one of his fights went to the judges scorecards.
That streak would end with win number eight, but he went on to win his next seven in a row, including a short notice unanimous decision win over Tyler Toner in his UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale back in December of last year (2010).
"The Barn Owl" then drew a ridiculously tough test for his bantamweight debut in former division title challenger Joseph Benavidez, a fight he lost via unanimous decision.
Time to get back on the hog.
UFC 134 will feature Anderson Silva defending his middleweight title against Yushin Okami, while Mauricio Rua will make his return to the Octagon for the first time since coughing up his 205-pound strap to Jon Jones in a highly anticipated rematch against Forrest Griffin.
In addition, mixed martial arts legend Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will make what could be his last stand in front of a hometown crowd when he tries to quell the uprising of division prospect Brendan Schaub.
For the current UFC 134 fight card and line-up click here.
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