The UFC has been busy filling the gaps in the card for UFC 173, the ones created by TJ Dillashaw getting promoted to the main event and Tarec Saffiediene being forced to drop out due to injury. Francisco Rivera and Robbie Lawler have stepped up to the plate in an effort to shore up the event, taking on Takeya Mizugaki and Jake Ellenberger, respectively.
The UFC announced both bouts earlier today via their Twitter.
“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (22-10, 1 N/C) has been in the midst of a late-career resurgence as of late. Going 3-1 since his return to the UFC, Lawler’s only loss was a close decision against Johny Hendricks for the UFC Welterweight Title at UFC 171. Will Lawler be able to kickstart his hopes for a rematch against the champ with a victory over the hard-hitting Ellenberger?
Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger (29-7) is also coming off a decision loss, with the judges scoring against him in his fight with Rory MacDonald at UFC on FOX 8. Ellenberger was originally scheduled to return to competition against Tarec Saffiedine at UFC Fight Night 35, but had to drop out due to injury. Will the heavy-handed “Juggernaut” be able to get the win over Lawler and catapult himself back into title contention?
Takeya Mizugaki (19-7-2) has been quietly moving himself up the ranks of the UFC’s bantamweight division, and is currently on a 4 fight winning streak. With a decision-heavy record – 13 of his wins have seen him go the distance – the gritty Japanese wrestle-boxer is still looking for that signature win that will boost him into title contention. Will he get that signature victory over Francisco Rivera?
Francisco “Cisco” Rivera (10-2, 1 N/C) would be on a 6 fight winning streak right now, had it not been for failing his post-fight drug test (banned over-the-counter stimulant) after beating Roland Delorme in 2012. Since doing his time, “Cisco” has notched TKO wins over Edwin Figueroa and George Roop in his last two outings. Will he be able to make it 3 in a row and vault himself up in the rankings by starching the durable Mizugaki at UFC 173?
UFC 173 goes down on May 24th at Las Vegas, NV’s MGM Grand Garden Arena. The main event sees “the Quiet War” between the Nova Uniao and Team Alpha Male fight camps continue, as Renan Barao defends his UFC Bantamweight Title against TJ Dillashaw. Stay tuned to MMASucka for more on this and other events.
