Anthony Smith
A pair of middleweights will step into the Octagon against one another at this coming June’s UFC on FUEL TV 10 event in Strikeforce fighter Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith (17-9) and Brazilian Antônio Braga Neto (8-1, 1 NC).
The bout was originally identified by Graciemag on Twitter (@graciemag) and later confirmed by MMAjunkie.com.
UFC on Fuel TV: Nogueira vs. Werdum (aka UFC on FUEL TV 10) is expected to take place on June 8, 2013 at Ginásio Paulo Sarasate in Fortaleza, Brazil. The main card will air live on Fuel TV while the prelim card is expected to stream live on Facebook. The match between Smith and Neto is certain to appear on the events preliminary card.
Smith is very likely looking at being released from his Zuffa contract if he should lose having dropped his last fight under the Strikeforce banner. ‘Lionheart’ went 1-1 with the former promotion losing by second round submission to Roger Gracie last January and winning his debut via triangle choke in August 2012 versus Lumumba Sayers.
Neto carries a three fight win streak into his Octagon debut having fought less than a month ago at a MMA Against Dengue 2 event in Brazil, submitting opponent Brock Larson in the first round with a kneebar. Neto has eight victories under his belt, one by TKO, six by decision and one by decision.