Top U.K. Prospect Jimi Manuwa Draws Kyle Kingsbury for ‘UFC on FUEL 5? Debut


(Based on current exchange rates, he’d be able to redeem those for one and a half Bellator belts. / Props: poster-boy.co.uk)

Nigerian-English light-heavyweight Jimi Manuwa — who unofficially came in at #14 on this year’s 10 Greatest Undefeated Fighters in MMA list — signed with the UFC earlier this month, and now has his debut date and opponent set. The UFC has confirmed that Manuwa will be welcomed to the Octagon by Kyle Kingsbury at UFC on FUEL 5: Struve vs. Miocic, September 29th in Nottingham, England.

Manuwa carries a spotless 11-0 record with all wins by stoppage within the first two rounds, and last competed at BAMMA 8 last December, where he scored a TKO over Antony Rea at the end of round 1. The fight followed a two-and-a-half year stint as the light-heavyweight champion of UCMMA. Manuwa previously turned down an offer to make his UFC debut at UFC 138, because he was coming off of a long injury layoff.

Meanwhile, Kyle Kingsbury has dropped his last two fights against Glover Teixeira and Stephan Bonnar; taking a third-straight loss against a promotional first-timer could cost “Kingsbu” his contract.

After the jump: Manuwa’s MMA highlight reel, via www6maxnl.


(Based on current exchange rates, he’d be able to redeem those for one and a half Bellator belts. / Props: poster-boy.co.uk)

Nigerian-English light-heavyweight Jimi Manuwa — who unofficially came in at #14 on this year’s 10 Greatest Undefeated Fighters in MMA list — signed with the UFC earlier this month, and now has his debut date and opponent set. The UFC has confirmed that Manuwa will be welcomed to the Octagon by Kyle Kingsbury at UFC on FUEL 5: Struve vs. Miocic, September 29th in Nottingham, England.

Manuwa carries a spotless 11-0 record with all wins by stoppage within the first two rounds, and last competed at BAMMA 8 last December, where he scored a TKO over Antony Rea at the end of round 1. The fight followed a two-and-a-half year stint as the light-heavyweight champion of UCMMA. Manuwa previously turned down an offer to make his UFC debut at UFC 138, because he was coming off of a long injury layoff.

Meanwhile, Kyle Kingsbury has dropped his last two fights against Glover Teixeira and Stephan Bonnar; taking a third-straight loss against a promotional first-timer could cost “Kingsbu” his contract.

After the jump: Manuwa’s MMA highlight reel, via www6maxnl.

Related: Speaking of promising British newcomers, former BAMMA middleweight champ Tom “Kong” Watson will also be making his Octagon debut at UFC on FUEL 5, against TUF 11 standout Brad Tavares.