Finn Teemu Packalen is now booked for a late-replacement bout on the upcoming July 18 card at the The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, Scotland. The Finn will face Frenchman Mickael Lebout. The UFC announced the booking today.
The Finnfighters gym will be stepping in for an injured Aussie Jake Matthews. Packalen just announced his signing with Mano Management yesterday and was signed by the UFC yesterday. His UFC debut will be on the UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Leites (also known as UFC Fight Night 72). It will also feature Nordic fighter Ilir Latifi.
“It’s not a fantasy the UFC should be realistic in the near future.” said the 28 year old lightweight, and it looks like the time is now.
Aussie Jake Matthews is injured so Finnish lightweight @PackalenTeemu will step in vs. @LeboutMickael at #UFCGlasgow pic.twitter.com/8poqBCUKGE
— UFC United Kingdom (@UFC_UK) July 9, 2015
Packalen has an unblemished record in both his two fight amateur and seven fight pro career. He turned pro in October of 2012.
Lebout is a 27 year old out of Crossfight. The lightweight has a 13 win, 4 loss, 1 draw, and 1 no contest record. He lost his UFC debut to Sergio Moraes in April, ending a 6 fight winning streak. Finn Kai Puolakka beat the Frenchman back at Cage 22 in 2013.
