According to a report from Swedish-based MMA website MMAnytt.se, the #6-ranked lightweight on the World MMA Scouting Report, Reza Madadi (11-2), has signed with the UFC. The 31-year-old Swedish-Iranian wrestler will debut on the inaugural UFC on FX card on January 20 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee against five-fight UFC veteran Rafaello Oliveira (14-5).
‘Mad Dog’ has been on an impressive run as of late, snagging the Superior Challenge lightweight crown in April when he defeated former UFC fighter Rich Clementi by decision. He previously waxed WEC veteran Carlo Prater at Superior Challenge 6 last October, and he submitted The Ultimate Fighter season 8 bad boy Junie Browning at Superior Challenge 5 last May, running his winning streak to six before the UFC knocked on the door.
His opponent, Rafaello ‘Tractor’ Oliveira, will most certainly have his back against the wall when he meets Madadi in Nashville. In the midst of his second stint with the promotion, Oliveira is riding a two-fight losing streak, and he’s amassed an abysmal career record of 1-4 in the UFC. His recent losses to Gleison Tibau and Yves Edwards create a must-win environment for Oliveira when he steps into the Octagon in January.
The UFC confirmed this past weekend that Jim Miller will face Melvin Guillard in the main event. Also, Josh Neer will battle Duane Ludwig in welterweight action while Pat Barry and Christian Morecraft will clash in a heavyweight tilt.