Frankie Edgar celebrates after KOing Gray Maynard at UFC 136 – Photo via UFC.com
Ultimate Fighting Championship officials added two key featherweight bouts for this July’s upcoming UFC 162 event.
Announced Thursday evening are matches between former UFC champ Frankie ‘The Answer’ Edgar (15-4-1) vs. Charles ‘Do Bronx’ Oliveira (16-3) and Cub Swanson (19-5) vs. Dennis ‘The Menace’ Siver (21-8).
Officials Tweeted (@UFC) the new matchups Thursday evening.
– 2 featherweight wars just booked for #UFC162: @CubSwanson vs. @DennisSiver and @FrankieEdgar vs. @CharlesDoBronxs Oliveira #YesPleaseNow
UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman is expected to take place on July 6, 2013 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will see UFC middleweight Kingpin Anderson Silva defend his belt versus top contender Chris Weidman.
Edgar looks for his first win in three matches and his first at 145-lbs since dropping down last month to face Jose Aldo for the 145-lbs title. ‘The Answer’ would go on to lose by decision to Aldo in the main event of UFC 156. Edgar moved to featherweight after back-to-back lightweight title losses to Benson Henderson.
Oliveira is 2-1 competing at 145-lbs in the Octagon, losing to Cub Swanson last September via first round KO at UFC 152. Victories include submission wins over Jonathan Brookins at the TUF 15 Finale and against Eric Wisely at UFC on FOX 2.
Swanson carries a four fight win streak into his match with Siver. Most recently, Swanson earned a decision win over Dustin Poirier in London at UFC on FUEL TV 7. His three other victories include (T)KO finishes of Oliveira, Ross Pearson, and George Roop.
Siver looks to make it three in a row competing at 145-lbs with decision victories over Nam Phan at UFC on FOX 5 this past December and against Diego Nunes at UFC on FUEL TV 2. Siver made the move down to Featherweight following a loss to Donald Cerrone at UFC 137 via first round submission.