Ultimate Fighting Championship officials announced a heavyweight match for the promotions debut event on FUEL TV this coming February.
“Undefeated heavyweights will collide as verbal agreements are in for 8-0 Phil De Fries versus 7-0 Stipe Miocic on February 15 in Omaha, Nebraska,” said UFC President Dana White.
UFC on FUEL 1 is expected to take place on February 15, 2012 at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska and marks the first UFC event featured on FUEL TV, which is all part of the promotions broadcast deal with FOX.
De Fries debuted with the UFC in November, earning a unanimous decision over Rob Broughton at UFC 138. Broughton was a late replacement for Oli Thompson who pulled out due to injury. The win was De Fries fourth straight after a “No Contest” result in June 2010. The decision win in the Octagon was the only bout to go the distance for the British fighter. De Fries owns seven other victories by submission, including six first round finishes and one in the second.
Miocic is of Croatian background but was born and raised in Ohio. He is a former NCAA Division I wrestler, a Golden Gloves champion, and in his younger years was scouted by Major League Baseball while attending Cleveland State University. The heavyweight debuted this past October as well, earning a unanimous decision win over Joey Beltran at UFC 136 in Texas. Like De Fries, Miocic’s debut also went the distance for the first time in his career after finishing all six of his previous opponents. Five by (T)KO and one by submission (leg kicks).
This fight will not last long and should give fans what they want to see, a quick and brutal finish. Should be fun come February 15th!