Ultimate Fighting Championship officials announced an addition to the promotions upcoming UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber event featuring a couple of bantamweight newcomers. Jeff ‘Hellbound’ Hougland (9-4) takes on Donny ‘Eagle Eye’ Walker (15-6), who drops down from 145 lbs for the fight.
“With the injury to Cub Swanson forcing his fight with Erik Koch off the UFC 132 card in Las Vegas, two hungry up-and-coming fighters will get a golden opportunity to show they have what it takes to compete in the UFC.”
“UFC President Dana White confirmed that bantamweights Jeff Hougland and Donny Walker will be fighting to make their mark on the division on July 2nd.”
UFC 132: Cruz vs. Faber takes place on July 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by a bantamweight title bout between champ Dominick Cruz and challenger Urijah Faber.
‘Hellbound’ Hougland had a rough start to his career, losing four straight including one to Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez. He is currently riding an eight fight win streak that includes two wins in 2011. ‘Hellbound’ has shown some skill at submissions by earning seven of his nine victories that way. Speaking of his opponent, Hougland had to say “He looks to be a seasoned opponent. It should be a tough fight.”
This will be ‘Eagle Eye’ Walker’s first fight in 2011, entering his first Octagon appearance on a seven fight win streak. His last victory was last December at a Night of Champions 2010 event, earning his eight submission victory of his career. Speaking to UFC.com, ‘Eagle Eye’ noted that “(Hougland) seems to be a really good jiu-jitsu guy who tends to finish his opponents in the first round. Should be a good test for my first fight in the UFC.”