Tachi Palace Fights (TPF) veteran Jorge Lopez will make his Octagon debut when he takes on promotion sophomore Justin Edwards in a welterweight match-up planned for UFC Fight Night 25: "Battle on the Bayou."
Both Lopez and his coach, Wanderlei Silva, announced the booking via Twitter, which will take place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, La., on Sept. 17, 2011.
"Lil' Monster" has pretty much had his way with the 170-pounders cutting their teeth on the regional circuit.
After taking a unanimous decision win over Waachiim Spiritwolf earlier this year, Lopez went out with a bang, pounding Davis Marshall into retirement at TPF 10: "Let the Chips Fall" just last week.
Hoping to play spoiler is the once-beaten Edwards.
The Cincinnati native, who comes to the UFC by way of Team Gurgel, was upended in his Octagon debut at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 13 Finale back in June when the judges favored Clay Harvison in a close split decision loss.
The defeat was the first of Edwards' professional career, one that includes six stoppages in as many wins.
"Battle on the Bayou" will feature a pair of welterweight wrestlers hitting the mat in the main event, as Jake Shields will return to action to take on hard-hitting grappler extraordinaire Jake Ellenberger.
Also booked for "The Big Easy" is a middleweight showdown that will showcase the triumphant return of Alan Belcher, who was nearly blinded in an unfortunate training accident, when he takes on veteran "Athlete" Jason MacDonald.
To check out the latest UFC Fight Night 25: "Battle on the Bayou" fight card and rumors click here.
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