Pat Healy
The addition of Strikeforce fighters debuting inside the Octagon continues to roll with today’s UFC 159 announcement pitting a couple of high level lightweight fighters against one another in Jim Miller (22-4) and Pat ‘Bam Bam’ Healy (29-16).
The match was announced late Tuesday night by the promotion via Twitter (@UFC).
– Also on for #UFC159 – Jersey’s own @jimmiller_155 vs Pat @bambamhealy
UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen is expected to take place on April 27, 2013 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey and see UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones defend his title against current contender Chael Sonnen.
Healy is 9-1 over his last ten matches and is riding a six fight win streak into the Octagon. ‘Bam Bam’ was to have fought for the Strikeforce lightweight title but champ Gilbert Melendez was forced out of bouts twice due to a shoulder injury. Instead, Healy faced promotion newcomer Kurt Holobaugh at the final Strikeforce event, winning by decision.
Healy fought for the UFC just one time previously in his career, competing at welterweight. Healy fought at UFN 6 back in August 2006 losing via first round submission to Anthony Torres.
Miller was in action at the final UFC event of 2012, competing in a “Fight of the Night” bout with Joe Lauzaon at UFC 155. Miller would go on to win a decision victory bouncing back from a title eliminator loss to Nate Diaz in his previous match in May at UFC on FOX 3. The New Jersey based fighter is 2-2 over his last four matches with a win over Melvin Guillard at UFC on FX 1, and a loss to Benson Henderson at UFC on Versus 5.