Raphael Assuncao (16-3) and Erik Koch (11-1) meet in a featherweight bout on the undercard of UFC 128. Both men will be making their UFC debuts after finding success in the WEC. The fight is not scheduled to make the air but may be shown should time permit.
How do these guys stack up?
Koch: 22 years old, 5’10”
Assuncao: 28 years old, 5’4″
What have they done lately?
Koch: W Francisco Rivera (TKO), W Bendy Casimir (SUB), L Chad Mendes (DEC)
Assuncao: W LC Davis (DEC), L Diego Nunes (DEC), L Urijah Faber (SUB)
How did these guys get here?
At only 22 years old Koch is already extremely accomplished in his career having compiled a 3-1 record in the WEC prior to the merger with the UFC. His sole loss came at the hands of highly ranked Chad Mendes at WEC 47.Koch rebounded from that loss with a triangle choke victory over Bendy Casimir and a Knockout of the Night performance against Francisco Rivera.
Raphael Assuncao started his MMA career in 2004 and went 13-1 before signing with the WEC. Once on the bigger stage he picked up wins over Jameel Massouh and Yves Jabouin. Assuncao had the task of facing Urijah Faber following Faber’s second loss to Mike Brown. Urijah submitted him in the third round. Next up was a loss to Diego Nunes by split decision. Assuncao rebounded with a win at WEC 52 over LC Davis. Now in the UFC he’s looking to get a new win streak going.
Why should you care?
Koch has been on a roll thus far in his caeer and he’s facing a very stiff test in Assuncao. The winner here picks up some much needed relevancy in a very competitive division.