There seems to be no limit to the number of intriguing matches which can be made in the UFC’s deep welterweight division.
This week’s example was announced Wednesday night’s edition of UFC Tonight, as MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani reported that veterans Matt Brown and divisional returnee Nate Diaz will square off. The duo have been added to an already impressive lineup at UFC 189 in Las Vegas on July 11.
Both fighters come into the bout in a need of a victory. The 34-year-old Brown (19-13) has lost his past two fights, losing decisions to former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks and current champ Robbie Lawler. Prior to those defeats, the Cincinnati native went on a memorable seven-fight win streak which included six knockouts.
Diaz (17-10), meanwhile, is making his second trip to the UFC’s 170-pound class. The Stockon, Calif. native competed at 170 for just over a year in 2010-11 and went 2-2 before dropping back to lightweight. Diaz has lost three of his past four fights, including defeats to former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson and former Strikeforce lightweight champ Josh Thomson.
Diaz sat out a year after defeating Gray Maynard in Nov. 2013, complaining about his pay. He returned last December and suffered a one-sided loss to Rafael dos Anjos, who has since gone on to win the lightweight title.