Junior dos Santos will make his first title defense against Alistair Overeem at UFC 146 on May 26th.
The UFC confirmed the event earlier this week and announced the heavyweight title bout as a part of a press release.
“The biggest heavyweight fight of 2012 will land at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, May 26th, as UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos defends his title for the first time in the main event of UFC 146 against former Strikeforce and K-1 champion Alistair Overeem. Ticket information will be announced soon.”
Dos Santos is coming off a knockout victory over Cain Velasquez, where he captured the heavyweight crown at UFC on FOX 1 last November in only 69 seconds. The Brazilian is undefeated during his tenure, holding a UFC record of 9-0.
Overeem enters the bout after dispatching former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 to become the No.1 contender. Overeem holds a lot of experience, competing in various promotions including K-1 and Strikeforce prior to joining the UFC, and also carries a 12-fight win streak.
Also on the card, two heavyweight bouts have been added as former heavyweight titleholder Cain Velasquez will meet Frank Mir in a No. 1 contender’s bout, and UFC newcomer Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva will face Roy Nelson.
In addition, Dan Hardy will look to snap a four-fight winless streak when he squares off against UFC veteran Duane Ludwig in a welterweight contest.
UFC 146 is scheduled for May 26th live from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
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