UFC 180 was supposed to be Cain Velasquez’s time to shine as reigning heavyweight champion. After coaching a season of TUF Latin America opposite Fabricio Werdum, Velasquez vs. Werdum was due to headline the Mexico debut card, but Cain pulled out with an injury and Werdum ended up fighting Mark Hunt for the interim belt. After a shaky first round, Werdum drilled Hunt with a flying knee and forced the TKO win. Now this fight has been re-booked for UFC 188 in Mexico City on June 13th in a unification title bout. Meanwhile, Eddie Alvarez co-headlines against Gilbert Melendez, fulfilling the dreams of fight fans who wanted to see them face each other when they were in Bellator and Strikeforce, respectively.
Other notable matchups include Kelvin Gastelum’s middleweight appearance versus Nate Marquardt, Henry Cejudo’s next flyweight challenge (reportedly Chico Camus but not yet finalized), and Tecia Torres facing Angela Hill. Hard-hitting welterweight Albert Tumenov also appears against Hector Urbina in a … rather odd bit of matchmaking.
Here’s a look at the fights lined up for UFC 188, with a bout order not finalized yet:
Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum
Gilbert Melendez vs. Eddie Alvarez
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nate Marquardt
Augusto Montano vs. Cathal Pendred
Henry Cejudo vs. TBA (Chico Camus is the targeted fight)
Hector Urbina vs. Albert Tumenov
Tecia Torres vs. Angela Hill
Efrain Escudero vs. Drew Dober
Alejandro Perez vs. Patrick Williams
Frank Trevino vs. Johnny Case
Gabriel Benitez vs. Clay Collard
Yair Rodriguez vs. Charles Rosa
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