UFC 137: Chris Camozzi Returns to Welcome Francis Carmont to the UFC

UFC 137 will feature the return of The Ultimate Fighter season 11 alum Chris Camozzi to the promotion.  The veteran middleweight will welcome French striker Francis Carmont to the UFC on Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas.The news …

UFC 137 will feature the return of The Ultimate Fighter season 11 alum Chris Camozzi to the promotion.  The veteran middleweight will welcome French striker Francis Carmont to the UFC on Oct. 29 at the Mandalay Events Center in Las Vegas.

The news was first announced by the UFC, and was confirmed to Bleacher Report after speaking directly to the returning fighter.

Camozzi (15-4) made his way into the house on the reality show by winning his elimination fight against Victor O’Donnell.  However, a broken jaw derailed his run on the show.  

He was brought back at the TUF 11 finale, where he defeated James Hammortree to secure his place in the promotion. 

Despite compiling a 2-1 record inside the Octagon, he was surprisingly cut following a UFC 127 loss to Kyle Noke in February.

Since his release, the Denver-based fighter defeated Strikeforce veteran Joey Villaseñor under the Shark Fights banner in May.  

The fight was not short on controversy as the New Mexico commission incorrectly scored the bout a draw on fight night.  However, the verdict was overturned and Camozzi was awarded the victory. 

The dangerous Muay Thai practitioner was recently announced as the headliner of the Oct. 15 Shark Fights 20 event against Matt Lucas, but with his return to the UFC that will now change.

Awaiting Camozzi will be Georges St. Pierre’s TriStar training partner, Francis Carmont (16-7).  The French striker has largely competed in the light heavyweight division while fighting in Europe. 

In his most recent fight, Carmont defeated UFC veteran Jason Day by TKO.  Of the fighter’s 16 wins, 10 have come in the first round.

UFC 137 is headlined by a welterweight title bout between champion Georges St. Pierre and challenger Carlos Condit.  

Also on the card is former Strikeforce welterweight champion Nick Diaz, making his return to the UFC against multi-time champion BJ Penn.  The main card airs on pay-per-view. 

No word on how the Camozzi/Carmont fight will be broadcast.

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