The main event for the UFC’s first foray into Scotland is set. According to the Sun, a British newspaper, top-10 stalwart Michael Bisping will take on resurgent veteran Thales Leites. The news was released in their Monday, May 25 edition, which was promptly snapped and posted on Twitter:
Michael Bisping vs Thales Leites Headlines ‘UFC Glasgow’ on July 18th. pic.twitter.com/fVSK6O2YyZ
— Jay Russell MMA (@JayRussellMMA) May 25, 2015
The announcement comes as little surprise. Leites has been calling out Bisping for a solid six months and, in a thoroughly booked middleweight division, neither man had a great many options outside the other.
The bout also makes a great deal of sense. Bisping has been alternating wins and losses since 2011 and finds himself securely locked outside the title picture for, essentially, the first time in his UFC career. That said, he is currently coming off a razor-thin decision win over CB Dollaway and remains a desirable opponent for up-and-comers and veterans looking for a bout with some visibility.
Leites, meanwhile, has been on fire since returning to the UFC in 2013. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist was cut in 2009, just months after challenging Anderson Silva for the middleweight strap at UFC 97, but returned to the Octagon at UFC 163 after a 6-1 run as a journeyman. He has broken off five straight wins in the Octagon since, most recently submitting Tim Boetsch at UFC 183.
In addition to Bisping vs. Leites, the Sun also announced a lightweight bout between The Ultimate Fighter Season 9 winner Ross Pearson and Evan Dunham. Not only that, but the card will feature Joanne Calderwood vs. Bec Rawlings and Ilir Latifi vs. Hans Stringer.
The event is scheduled for July 18, so make sure to circle back to Bleacher Report for more updates on the card as it approaches.
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