UFC featherweights Erik Koch (12-1) and Cub Swanson (15-4) have been booked, for a second time, to meet in the octagon at the upcoming UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber event in July. Both men had originally been scheduled to square off at the UFC on Versus 3 event last month, but an injury to Swanson forced him off the card, and Koch was then moved to the UFC 128 card to replace an injured Manvel Gamburyan against Rafael Assunção.
“Rising star Erik Koch, who took home Knockout of the Night at the stacked UFC 128 event, will take on Cub Swanson, who earned Fight Of The Night honors in his last outing,” said Dana White on the promotions website UFC.com.
Koch has won three straight since his first career loss to Chad Mendes a year ago at WEC 47. The Iowa born fighter made his UFC debut against Assunção at UFC 128, earning a first round knockout win as well as the “Knockout of the Night” bonus. It was his second straight “KOTN” award after stopping Francisco Rivera by TKO at WEC 52 last November. Under the Zuffa umbrella, Koch is 4-1.
Meanwhile, Swanson makes his UFC debut against Koch and is 1-1 in his last two bouts, and has swapped wins for losses over his last five matches going 3-2. Three of t hose bouts include winning “Fight of the Night” bonuses, which includes his last victory, a split decision win over Mackens Semerzier at WEC 52. Like Koch, his last loss was to Chad Mendes, a unanimous decision defeat at WEC 50.
UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber will be held on July 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will feature a Bantamweight title bout between champ Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber.