Is it Christmas time yet? It sure feels like it as several events are shaping up for early 2012 as the UFC continues to confirm bouts via their website and official Twitter account. Several bouts have been announced and they can be found below:
-Two light heavyweights will square off when Caio Magalhaes will step in on short notice to face Fabio Maldonado at UFC 142 which will take place on January 14th, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Maldonado (18-4) was last seen in action at the TUF 13 Finale, losing a close unanimous decision to Kyle Kingsbury. He made his UFC debut at UFC 120 with a TKO victory over TUF contestant James McSweeney. He’ll be facing newcomer Caio Magalhaes who’s an undefeated prospect with a record of (5-0).
-Two heavyweights will square off when Joey Beltran and Lavar Johnson meet at the UFC on FOX 2 event that will take place in on January 28th, in Chicago. Beltran (13-6) was last seen in action losing a unanimous decision to rising prospect Stipe Miocic back at UFC 136. Beltran is (1-3) in his last four fights and is in desperate need of a win. He’ll be facing Lavar Johnson (15-5) who will be coming over from the Strikeforce promotion. Johnson has lost his last two fights with both losses coming via submission. This could be a loser gets cut from the promotion type of match.
-Two bantamweights will square off when Ivan Menjivar and John Albert meet at the UFC on FUEL 1 event that will take place on February 15th, in Omaha, Nebraska. Menjivar (23-8) was last seen in action at UFC 133, winning a unanimous decision over Nick Pace. Menjivar has won both his UFC fights since coming over from the WEC during the merger. He’ll be facing John Albert (7-1) who was a contestant on the latest season of The Ultimate Fighter. Albert fought on the TUF 14 Finale, besting fellow cast member Dustin Pague via TKO in the very first round.
-Two welterweights will square off when Rory MacDonald will face Che Mills at UFC 145 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on March 24th. MacDonald (12-1) was last seen in action destroying MMA veteran Mike Pyle at UFC 129 earlier this year. MacDonald’s rising up the ranks fast with the only loss in his career coming against top contender Carlos Condit. He’ll be facing another rising prospect in Che Mills (14-4, 1 NC) who burst on the UFC scene with a 40 second destruction of Chris Cope back at UFC 138.
Stay tuned to Pro MMA Now as more fights are confirmed for upcoming events.