UFC 127 Report: Tiequan Zhang dropping to 145, facing Jason Reinhardt

“The Mongolian Wolf” Tiequan Zhang (17-1) went 1-1 in the WEC’s lightweight division before the promotion merged with the UFC, and according to Portal do Vale Tudo, Zhang will move down to featherweight and face Jason Reinhardt at UFC 127 in Sydney.

Most recently, Zhang went the distance against Duke Roufus pupil Danny Downes at WEC 53, losing via unanimous decision. Zhang won his WEC debut against Pablo Garza at WEC 51 by first round guillotine choke. Garza has since also made the move to 145.

Zhang’s coach, Ruy Menze, told Portal do Vale Tudo the following (translated into English):

I thought he better get down to 66 kg (145 pounds). He is short and I think that category [will] have more chances.

Reinhardt (20-1) has been out of commission awhile. He last competed in 2008 — defeating Cody Larson by submission — and had signed with the WEC, but injuries kept him on the sidelines. Reinhardt has primarily competed in the Midwest MMA circuit, except for his lone UFC appearance against Joe Lauzon in 2007. Lauzon overwhelmed Reinhardt and picked up a rear naked choke submission win at the 1:14 mark of round one.