Another CES MMA champion has signed with the UFC as CES welterweight champion Dominique Steele signs with the promotion fresh off of his title win to face Zak Cummings in Chicago after Cummings’ original foe, Antonio Braga Neto, was forced out due to injury.
The news was confirmed on FOXSports.com late Wednesday.
Steele (13-5) has fought in many promotions including CES, Bellator, Strikeforce and XFC among others. Since his loss to Jose Figueroa in July of 2014, Steele has picked up two unanimous decision wins. Before upsetting Chuck O’Neil after a 25 minute battle to claim the CES MMA welterweight title, he beat Nick Duell under the NAAFS banner.
Cummings (17-4) is a veteran of TUF 17 and has went 2-1 since coming off of the show. In his debut he beat Benny Alloway via first round submission and took home submission of the night honors, he then upset Yan Cabral en route to a unanimous decision victory before getting submitted by Gunnar Nelson. He has not fought since the Nelson fight, which was almost exactly one year ago.
The bout will serve as the headliner to the Fight Pass prelim portion of the card.
UFC Chicago (UFC on FOX 16) is set to take place on July 25 at the United Center and will be headlined by a bantamweight title rematch between TJ Dillashaw and former champion Renan Barao. The co-main event sees two of the top contenders in the women’s 135-lb division clash as Miesha Tate meets Jessica ‘Evil’ Eye.
If you need to familiarize yourself with Dominique Steele, check of the highlights of his title win at CES MMA 29.
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