Just 24 hours after the news of his signing with the UFC broke, much-hyped American mixed martial arts prospect Sergio Pettis has an opponent for his UFC debut.
Pettis, 20, who sports a perfect 9-0 record, will face British bantamweight Vaughan Lee in his debut at November’s UFC 167 event.
Brazilian outlet Combate (h/t MMA Junkie) was the first to report the news.
Lee, 30, began fighting over 10 years ago and has amassed a pedestrian 13-9 record since. He made his UFC debut at UFC 138, losing to Chris Cariaso and has alternated wins and losses ever since. In his last outing, Lee lost to the surging Raphael Assuncao at UFC on Fuel TV 10.
Lee’s biggest career win came against Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, a semi-legendary Japanese fighter who has underwhelmed in losing all three of his UFC fights to date. On paper, Lee seems like a perfect matchup for Pettis, who has shown momentary flashes of the skills displayed by his big brother Anthony during his brief career on the regional circuit.
Pettis last competed Sept. 28, submitting James Porter in the first round of their American Fighting Championship bout in Milwaukee.
UFC 167 takes place Nov. 16 and is headlined by a welterweight title fight between champion Georges St-Pierre and Johny Hendricks. The co-main event features light heavyweights (and frequent UFC television broadcast partners) Chael Sonnen and Rashad Evans. Heavyweights Frank Mir and Alistair Overeem will also compete in what UFC President Dana White has admitted will be the end of the line for the loser.
It is unknown at this time where the Pettis vs. Lee bout will fall in the bout order, but it’s likely to be aired during the Fox Sports 1 preliminary fights.
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