Feb 19, 2012 - A lightweight tilt with ‘Fight of the Night' potential has been added to the UFC's Memorial Day weekend fight card.
Announced Sunday, undefeated striker Edson Barboza has agreed to meet revitalized brawler Evan Dunham at UFC 146, scheduled for May 26, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. UFC President Dana White confirmed the bout via Twitter.
The holiday card is expected to be headlined by a heavyweight title scrap between Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem. Jason "Mayhem" Miller returns to the cage against C.B. Dollaway in the night's only other confirmed match-up.
Barboza (10-0) rides into the contest on a wave of momentum from his ridiculous third-round spinning wheel kick knockout of Terry Etim that earned both ‘Fight of the Night' and ‘Knockout of the Night' honors at UFC 142. The impressive 26-year-old is now 4-0 in his short UFC career, with wins over Ross Pearson, Anthony Njokuani, and Mike Lullo, along with four ‘Fight Night' bonuses to his credit.
Dunham (13-2), meanwhile, appears to have turned the corner after his run to title contention was halted by consecutive losses to Sean Sherk and Melvin Guillard. Known as 3-D, the 30-year-old has since recovered with brutal victories over Shamar Bailey and Nik Lentz, the latter of which earned ‘Fight of the Night' honors when Lentz was unable to continue due to what looked to be a broken orbital bone.
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Edson Barboza vs. Evan Dunham Slated for UFC 146
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Comments
Damn I'm kinda disappointed
they didn’t give Barboza a better step up in competition. Dunham is good but I think Barboza is gonna to destroy him
by Rob2507 on Feb 19, 2012 7:38 PM EST reply actions
Dunham is the best wrestler
to challenge Barboza. This might make it interesting. However this isn’t the type of wrestler I want him to fight. I want to see Barboza go up against a more physical wrestler like Guida. Dunham is the type of guy to stand with him and get his legs cut off, thus taking power out of his shots. Guida on the other hand will close that distance immediately and go for the TD
by Bigs- on Feb 21, 2012 1:47 AM EST up reply actions
Ya he's definitely a better wrestler
than Etim, but I don’t see him being able to keep Barboza on his back. Plus Dunham is a definitely a good striker and I can see him having the confidence level to standup with Barboza. This is where he will most likely not have success, Barboza’s striking is just on another level. I just don’t see how Dunham wins this and I think it’ll be another step forward in Barboza’s career. I agree that Barboza should be facing a more physical wrestler, Guida would be a great challenge, or someone like Maynard
by Rob2507 on Feb 21, 2012 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
Dunham's a beast
He’s got a great combination of wrestling and striking I wouldn’t overlook him so fast. Barboza is awesome and only getting better, but I think this fight will be very close. Really like both guys but wouldn’t be surprised at all if Dunham wins, I’m sure we’ll get to see what Barboza’s ground game looks like in this fight.
by KneesTotheHead on Feb 19, 2012 9:49 PM EST reply actions
Not a beast
Dunham is a quintessential jack-of-all trades. A reincarnation of Chris Lytle, if you will.
by DX OX on Feb 20, 2012 3:57 AM EST up reply actions
I like barboza but I think this isn’t a good fight for him stylistic wise
by doublelo on Feb 19, 2012 11:12 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Star are aligning.
Cmon guys. If all goes well, we will get to see an Anthony Pettis vs. Edson Barboza number one contenders match main event one of the Fox events. I think pretty much everyone will like that fight.
by Clayton38 on Feb 20, 2012 12:24 AM EST reply actions
That would be a stellar fight for sure. I’d still rather see Pettis fight the winner of Diaz/Miller for #1 contender but that probably won’t happen
by Rob2507 on Feb 20, 2012 12:33 AM EST reply actions
Hendo/Bisping:
"He hit him so hard that even gravity got scared. Bisping hung in mid-air for a moment while gravity screamed at inertia, "Did you see that shit!?" Then, after a high five, the two universal forces quit screwing around and yanked Bisping's limp body onto the floor." - Seanbaby
"You are banned from bloodyelbow because Roth was being too nice and your picture" -Tim Burke
by superfknmario__ on Feb 20, 2012 4:05 PM EST reply actions
the Dunham-Dance...
by Jellyneck on Feb 28, 2012 2:01 PM EST reply actions
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