Who says you can’t go home?
No. 1-ranked welterweight contender and former title challenger Rory MacDonald (18-3) will put his position atop the 170-pound division on the line against streaking kickboxing import Stephen Thompson in the UFC Fight Night 89 main event, emanating from Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on June 18, 2016.
UFC announced the main event yesterday during the promotion’s Unstoppable seasonal press conference. It’s also expected to air on FOX Sports 1 and the digital streaming service Fight Pass.
“Red King” will return to action in the mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion’s debut in Canada’s capital following his bloodbath with current 170-pound titleholder Robbie Lawler last July. Initially thought to be facing former Bellator middleweight champion Hector Lombard, the 26-year-old MacDonald will clash with the knockout artist Thompson.
Thompson (12-1) has won six straight in the Octagon, including his quick dismissal of previous welterweight champion Johny Hendricks at UFC Fight Night 82 one month ago. “Wonderboy” flattened “Bigg Rigg” using his entire arsenal and made a statement in “Sin City,” but not all were convinced he should be fighting for the strap, as the former argued after the big victory.
There have been no other contests announced for the UFC Fight Night 89. Stick with MMAmania.com and we’ll be sure to bring you the latest on the card as it begins to take shape.