With anticipation building for the UFC’s Boston debut, the promotion has announced the undercard matches that will be filling out a card headlined by the rematch for the world lightweight title between champion Frankie Edgar and the man he dethroned BJ Penn. Other featured matches include the ‘UFC vs. Boxing’ fight between Hall of Famer Randy Couture and champion boxer James Toney, with Massachusetts native Kenny Florian taking on undefeated lightweight Gray Maynard.
Much changed due to injuries, the undercard will feature Demian Maia vs. Mario Miranda, Nate Diaz vs. Marcus Davis, Joe Lauzon vs. Gabe Ruediger, Andre Winner vs. Nik Lentz, Dan Miller vs. John Salter, Nick Osipczak vs. Greg Soto, and Mike Pierce vs. Amilcar Alves.
Looking to bounce back after his humiliating defeat at the hands of world middleweight champion Anderson Silva Maia takes on Mario Miranda in an all-Brazilian battle. With only two fights in the UFC, Miranda will be keen to build on his TKO victory against David Loiseau by beating the widely respected Maia. The final main card fight will see Nate Diaz take on Marcus Davis in what promises to be a stern test of the former lightweight’s move up in weight, with Davis having nine UFC victories at 170Ibs.
The action carries over to the pre-lims, with three former The Ultimate Fighter contenders fighting on the live Spike special that airs immediately before the pay per view begins at 10pm ET. In a battle of the TUF5 teammates, Massachusetts native Joe Lauzon will face Gabe Reudiger in what will be the latter’s return to the organisation. In the other fight to be shown on Spike TV, TUF9 finalist Andre Winner will face Nik Lentz with both lightweights having impressed in their short careers in the organisation.
The other pre-lims fights are Dan Miller vs. John Salter in a must-win fight for Miller has is on a three-fight losing streak, Nick Osipczak taking on Greg Soto and Mike Pearce facing Amilcar Alves in the latter’s UFC debut.
Full Match list for UFC 118:
- FRANKIE EDGAR vs. BJ PENN FOR WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE
- RANDY COUTURE vs. JAMES TONEY
- KENNY FLORIAN vs. GRAY MAYNARD
- DEMIAN MAIA vs. MARIO MIRANDA
- NATE DIAZ vs. MARCUS DAVIS
- JOE LAUZON vs. GABE RUEDIGER
- ANDRE WINNER vs. NIK LENTZ
- DAN MILLER vs. JOHN SALTER
- NICK OSIPCZAK vs. GREG SOTO
- MIKE PIERCE vs. AMILCAR ALVES
