In the busiest week of UFC events ever, it is easy for a fight to get lost in the shuffle… but don’t let that happen! Nordic fans should keep an eye on the return of Swede Andreas Ståhl who is finally ready for his second Octagon battle this Thursday on the UFC Fight Night 80: VanZant vs. Namajunas card at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.
“Real Steel” will be facing Brazilian Santiago Ponzinibbio on the card that is getting hype for the new poster boy in Sage Northcutt and poster girl Paige VanZant. While the two blonds are the focus of the card, don’t miss the prelim card with the man from Northern Sweden, the only Nordic fighter booked for the first of three nights of fights.
The Renji fighter has been twice booked for his return to the cage, but injuries have prevented his battle. This time, he is healthier than ever and focused on an Octagon win. He has visited Frontline MMA to grapple with the Norwegian team and has even brought Emil Weber Meek and Glenn Sparv into Umeaå for sparring.
The Umeå based Stahl will be seeking a win after losing a hard-fought decision in his UFC debut. He broke his jaw in the first round to Gilbert Burns in his first UFC outing in July of 2014. It was the first loss for the Swede, who had won his first 9 bouts outside of the Octagon.
Ponzinibbio has a 19 win and 3 loss record and represents Team Noguira / American Top Team. The welterweight has a 2 win and 2 loss record in the UFC, most recently getting TKO’d by Lorenz Larkin in July.
Mark your calendar! MMAViking.com will be reporting live from Las Vegas.
