A lightweight bout has been added to September’s upcoming UFC 135 event between “The Ultimate Fighter” season 13 winner Tony ‘El Cucuy’ Ferguson (11-2) and UFC vet Aaron Riley (30-12-1). Ferguson drops to lightweight for the fight after winning the TUF series as a welterweight.
Following his stirring knockout of Ramsey Nijem earlier this month to win the Ultimate Fighter season 13 crown, Tony Ferguson will waste little time returning to the Octagon, as he will take on veteran Aaron Riley at UFC 135 in a new division, lightweight.
“Ultimate Fighter winner Tony ‘El Cucuy’ Ferguson has verbally agreed to drop down to the lightweight division to take on relentless veteran Aaron Riley September 24 in Denver, Colorado,” said UFC President Dana White.
UFC 135 is expected to take place on September 24, 2011 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado and should host the light heavyweight title bout between champ Jon ‘Bones’ Jones vs. Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.
Ferguson debuted with the UFC earlier this month at the June 4 “TUF 13 Finale” event as a welterweight, knocking out Ramsey Nijem in the nights main event to become the season 13 winner. ‘El Cucuy’ was a member of Team Lesnar earning wins over housemates Ryan McGillivray and Chuck O’Neil to make it into the finale. The win over Nijem was his fourth pro win in a row.
Riley holds a 3-4 record with the UFC in three runs with the promotion. In his latest stint, Riley is 3-2 having earned a unanimous decision victory over Joe Brammer at UFC 114. Previous to that he was stopped by season 9 TUF winner Ross Pearson at UFC 105 via TKO (doctor stoppage).