Streaking middleweight contender Antonio Carlos Junior will look to win his sixth straight when he takes on Canadian grinder Elias Theodorou at UFC Fight Night 137 on Sept. 22 from inside Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo, Brazil, according to MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz who confirmed an initial report by Combate.
Remember, Carlos Junior was expected to fight middleweight knockout artist Derek Brunson at UFC 227 on Aug. 4 from Los Angeles before an eye injury knocked Brunson out of competition.
Carlos Junior, 28, has quickly turned into one of the most dangerous submission specialists in UFC today. During his current five-fight win streak, which includes a recent victory over veteran Tim Boetsch back in April, “Shoe Face” has recorded four submissions. His hands have developed nicely behind some natural punching power, but Carlos Junior will be out to prove yet again at UFC Sao Paulo that he’s the best grappler at 185 pounds.
Theodorou, 30, is coming off back-to-back wins over Trevor Smith and Dan Kelly, who is the last fighter to defeat Carlos Junior inside of the Octagon. While “Spartan” hasn’t finished many of his UFC wins he remains a dangerous out for anyone in the middleweight division. Throughout nine UFC appearances, Theodorou has utilized a strong wrestling game and trusted motor to walk away with seven wins.
UFC Fight Night 137 currently has no main event in place, but will feature a welterweight clash between Neil Magny and Brazilian finisher Alex Oliveira, as well as the anticipated return of light heavyweight veteran Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
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