Hatsu Hioki – Photo via UFC.com
The Ultimate Fighting Championship added a featherweight bout to this June’s upcoming UFC on FX 4 event, naming former Sengoku/Shooto champion Hatsu Hioki (26-4-2) and Ricard ‘The Bully’ Lamas (11-2) as opponents for the Florida show.
The fists will fly at featherweight this summer, as verbal agreements are in for a bout between Hatsu Hioki and Ricardo Lamas.
Hioki has been in the 145-pound title conversation since joining the UFC, and a June win could secure him that shot. The experienced Lamas has finished both of his opponents — one by submission, another by KO — since moving to featherweight.
UFC on FX: Maynard vs. Guida (aka UFC on FX 4) is expected to take place on June 22, 2012 at Revel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Hioki is 2-0 since debuting with the UFC last October, picking up a split decision win against George Roop at UFC 137 and a decision versus Bart Palaszewski at UFC 144 last February. Hioki will now carry a six fight win streak into this fight with Lamas.
Lamas moved over from the WEC, dropping down to 145-lbs for his two Octagon appearances. Lamas had been scheduled to meet Dustin Poirier at UFC 143 last February but was forced out due to injury. His last fight took place in November at the UFC on FOX 1 show, where he won a second round submission versus Cub Swanson.