Cole Miller
A pair of featherweight matches was also added to this April’s TUF 17 Finale as Cole Miller (18-7) takes on Bart ‘Bartimus’ Palaszewski (36-16) while Daniel Pineda (17-9) takes on TUF 15 cast member Justin Lawrence (4-1).
Verbal agreements are in place for both bouts with Ultimate Fighting Championship officials confirming the matchup at UFC.com earlier today.
At featherweight, Cole Miller and Bart Palaszewski will go head to head; also at 145 pounds, striking specialist Justin Lawrence will face well-rounded veteran Daniel Pineda.
The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen Finale (aka TUF 17 Finale) is expected to take place on April 13, 2013 at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Miller has dropped his last two matches since returning to featherweight, having lost a split decision to Nam Phan last August at UFC on FOX 4 and a decision to Steven Siler at UFC on FX 2 in March of last year. Miller’s last win came in August 2011, with a second round submission over TJ O’Brien at the UFC on Versus 5 show.
Palaszewski is also in the same boat with back-to-back losses. ‘Bartimus’ was in a “Fight of the Night” bout last October with Diego Nunes at the UFC on FX 5 event but came out on the losing end with a decision loss. The other loss for Palaszewski was to Hatsu Hioki in February of last year at UFC 144, losing by decision. Palaszewski’s last win was at UFC 137 with a knockout of Tyson Griffin.
Pineda is a third-fighter in this mixup with two straight losses, having been knocked out by Antonio Carvalho in July at UFC 149. The other defeat came at the hands of former WEC champ Mike Brown at the UFC 146 event after Pineda stepped in for an injured Robert Peralta. Pineda’s last win was at the UFC on FX 2 show with a first round sub against Mackens Semerzier.
Lawrence was in action twice this past summer, losing to Max Holloway at UFC 150 by second round TKO. Lawrence debuted at the TUF 15 Finale, picking up the “Fight of the Night” and “Knockout of the Night” bonuses for his KO of John Cofer at the Vegas event. That win was his fourth straight pro victory.