UFC Fight Night 56 in Brazil added a stellar flyweight bout that may very well have title implications.
No. 3-ranked Ian McCall will meet No. 6-ranked John Lineker as both men seek to become the next challenger to Demetrious Johnson’s title strap.
The UFC announced the bout on Twitter on Thursday afternoon.
After an 0-2-1 start to his UFC career, McCall has rebounded with two straight victories. He defeated Iliarde Santos at UFC 163, and beat Brad Pickett in July at UFC Fight Night 46. McCall has a history with the champion, and a win could make him the most desirable contender for the belt.
Lineker has had an up-and-down UFC career. He made his organizational debut in 2012 by missing weight, and then losing to Louis Gaudinot. He would then go on a four-fight win streak, but also miss weight in two of those contests.
With the light shining bright on him, Lineker made weight for each of his two most recent fights. He is 1-1 in those bouts. He dropped a decision to Ali Bagautinov, and defeated Alptekin Ozkilic by TKO.
Both men have exciting styles, and with the flyweight division short on contenders they are both in prime position to make a splash with a high-profile victory. That makes this contest vital for the flyweight division.
Lineker is a fan favorite because of his big power. He may be pound-for-pound the most powerful fighter in the UFC today, and McCall is one of the organization’s most colorful characters. No. 1-ranked contender John Dodson is still on the shelf with an injury. That opens the door for the winner of this fight to state their case for a title shot.
The important 125-pound contest is set for November 8th in Uberlandia, Brazil.
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