Cyrille Diabate
A light heavyweight match has been announced by the Ultimate Fighting Championship pitting French striker Cyrille ‘The Snake’ Diabaté (19-8-1) and undefeated fighter Jimi ‘Poster Boy’ Manuwa (12-0) against one another for the upcoming UFC on FUEL TV 7 show in the New Year.
Officials with the UK division of the UFC announced the news via Twitter (@UFC_UK) on Friday afternoon.
– #UFCLondon2013 will see LHW @CyrilleDiabate take on KO specialist @POSTERBOYJM in what will be an explosive clash!
UFC on FUEL TV:Barao vs. McDonald is expected to take place on February 16, 2013 at the Wembley Arena in London England. The event is headlined by a UFC interim bantamweight title bout between champ Renan Barao and challenger Michael McDonald.
Diabaté has won two straight inside the Octagon earning a first round submission win over Chad Griggs last month at UFC 154 in Montreal. The other victory took place in April of this year, a majority decision against Tom DeBlass at UFC on FUEL TV 2. ‘The Snake’ suffered his last loss just over a year ago at UFC 138, losing to Anthony Perosh via submission.
Manuwa has yet to taste defeat as a pro, winning his Octagon debut in September at UFC on FUEL TV 5 by stopping TUF 8 contestant Kyle Kingsbury by second round TKO (doctor stoppage). His last win before joining the UFC took place one year ago at a BAMMA 8 show, earning a TKO (retirement) win against Antony Rea in England.