(Ricardo Lamas helps Erik Koch re-enact the fire-extinguisher scene from Irreversible, which I will not be linking to, because it’s way too early in the morning, and it’s freaking horrible. / Photo via Getty Images)
We’d forgive you for getting Dustin Poirier and Erik Koch confused. Both are 24-year-old 5’9″ white guys with shaved heads, interesting tattoos, and nearly identical MMA records. Both were considered future title threats in the UFC featherweight division until recent losses set them back. The only real differences between the two men are Poirier’s three-inch reach advantage and Koch’s three-shade tan advantage. And logically, they’ll be meeting each other at UFC 164 (August 31st, Milwaukee) in the greatest “this guy looks like that guy” matchup since Miller vs. Healy.
A product of the Roufusport MMA Academy, Koch will enjoy hometown advantage, and will try to rebound from his first UFC loss in January, a TKO-via-elbows mauling by Ricardo Lamas at the UFC on FOX: Johnson vs. Dodson card. Meanwhile, Poirier most recently suffered a unanimous decision loss to Cub Swanson in February, which dropped his Octagon record to 5-2. So who will bounce back to contendership, and who will fall further down the featherweight ladder?
In other booking news…
Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will follow up his quick-’n’-easy submission win over Chris Camozzi with a match against veteran middleweight contender Yushin Okami, who has won his last three fights against Hector Lombard, Alan Belcher, and Buddy Roberts. UFC president Dana White revealed the booking yesterday, but wouldn’t confirm the event where it would take place. He did, however, mention that the winner of Souza vs. Okami could be an option for Vitor Belfort‘s next opponent. (The other option? Title shot.) We’ll keep you posted…