A pair of intriguing match-ups have joined the UFC’s upcoming summer schedule, as former heavyweight Nikita Krylov (16-3) will drop weight classes to take on Ovince St. Preux (14-5) at UFC 171, and top-15 lightweights Jim Miller (23-4, 1 NC) and Bobby Green (22-5) have verbally agreed to collide one month later at UFC 172.
UFC officials announced the bouts via Twitter late Friday night.
St. Preux, 30, was initially slated to fight Thiago Silva at the March event. However following a Thursday night incident in Oakland Park, FL which led to the Brazilian’s arrest, Silva was cut from the UFC.
A longtime heavyweight fighting out of the Ukraine, Krylov now cuts down to light heavyweight on the heels of a thunderous 25-second head kick victory over Walt Harris in January.
Meanwhile, Green, the UFC’s No. 12 ranked lightweight, rides a seven-fight win streak into his contest against Miller, including three straight wins under the UFC banner.
Miller, the No. 9 ranked lightweight, recently bounced back from an overturned loss against Pat Healy to score a quick submission victory over jiu-jitsu ace Fabricio Camoes.
UFC 171 takes place March 15, 2014 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX, and is headlined by a match-up between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler for the vacant UFC welterweight title.
UFC 172 takes place April 26, 2014 at the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, MD. Light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will look to defend his belt against Glover Teixeira in the night’s main event.