With Paulo Thiago out, another Strikeforce import is getting a chance to step up into the spotlight with the announcement that Brian Melancon will now be standing opposite Gastelum at UFC Fight Night 27.
UFC Tonight revealed the information earlier this evening.
Brian Melancon (7-2) is one of the many lesser-known fighters who made their way into the UFC after the Strikeforce merger. However, he made a stunning debut in the Octagon at UFC 162, knocking out Seth Baczynski with only a second remaining in the first round. The heavy-handed Paradigm Training Center product will be looking to repeat his performance and bring his winning streak to 3 in a row. Will he be able to upset the TUF 17 winner?
Kelvin Gastelum (6-0) was the dark horse of The Ultimate Fighter’s 17th season, beating the odds all through his run, ultimately defeating the hands-down favorite, knockout machine Uriah Hall, by split decision at the finale. A wrestler with immeasurable heart and immense drive to improve, the raw Gastelum is returning to his natural weight class of 170 lbs., and looking to prove that his winning streak is no fluke. Will he continue to defy expecations at UFC Fight Night 27 with a win over the game Melancon?
UFC Fight Night 27 goes down on August 27th, 2013, and will be emanating from the Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, IN. The main event is a welterweight rematch between “The Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit and Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann. Stay tuned to MMASucka.com for more on this and other upcoming events.
