Mark Hominick next in line for UFC featherweight title

UFC president Dana White has confirmed reports that Mark Hominick will potentially receive the next shot at Jose Aldo’s UFC featherweight title. All he has to do in win his next fight against George Roop.

White confirmed the status of the title picture on Tuesday when he appeared on Sportsnet.ca’s “MMA Connected.” Hominick will take on Roop at UFC Fight Night 23, which takes place at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas on Jan. 22.

If Hominick wins, his fight with Aldo will be added to UFC 129. The UFC’s first trip to Toronto will take place at the Rogers Centre on April 30.

Hominick has won four-straight fights since losing to Josh Grispi at WEC 32. In his last fight, he took a split-decision victory over Leonard Garcia at WEC 51. The former TKO featherweight champion holds victories over Jorge Gurgel, Yves Edwards and Yves Jabouin.

After the eighth season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Roop fought three times in the UFC at lightweight. He went 1-2 and promptly received his release. He decided to drop all the way down to bantamweight, but dropped his debut to former WEC champion Eddie Wineland. Since moving to featherweight, he drew with Leonard Garcia and scored a surprising head-kick knockout of Chan Sung Jung.

Originally, Aldo was set to defend his title and make his UFC debut against Josh Grispi at UFC 124. However, he pulled out of the fight with a neck injury. Grispi subsequently lost to Dustin Poirier. Aldo will be looking for his third-consecutive title defense.