UFC Fight Night Sweden Adds Zubaira Tukhugov vs Ernest Chavez

UFC Fight Night Sweden Adds Zubaira Tukhugov vs Ernest Chavez

by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

 
UFC officials have today confirmed a third addition to October's UFC Fight Night 53 card with Zubaira Tukhugov vs Ernest Chavez squaring off in a featherweight match up.

UFC Fight Night 53 takes place October 4, at Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. The event is expected to stream live on UFC Fight Pass, and is the promotions 3rd trip to Sweden in as many years.

A product of Tiger Muay Thai alongside Brian Ebersole and Roger Huerta, Russian prospect Zubaira Tukhugov fights for the first time since his win over Douglas Silva de Andrade at UFC Fight Night - Machida vs. Mousasi in his UFC debut. 

A Sambo specialist, Tukhugov is currently riding a 7 fight win streak with 3 of those victories coming by TKO. A pro sine 2010, the 23-year-old has since won 16 of 19 bouts, and holds the highest rankings in Sambo - Master of Sports Hand to Hand Combat, and Master of Sports Combat Sambo.

Fighting for the 3rd time under the UFC banner, Chavez made his UFC debut at Febuary's UFC 170 defeating Yosdenis Cedeno by split decision to extending his unbeaten streak to 7-0. Following his victory over Cedeno, Chavez took on Elias Silverio who he lost to by 3rd round submission prompting a move down to the featherweight division.

Fighting out of Orange County California, the 31-year-old was expected to face Mirsad Bektic at UFC Fight Night 49 in August but was forced to withdraw from that card with injury. He will now fight in Sweden two months later.

With the addition of Tukhugov vs Chavez, UFC Fight Night 53 now includes:

Nico Musoke vs. Amir Sadollah
Niklas Backstrom vs. Mike Wilkinson
Zubaira Tukhugov vs Ernest Chavez

Stay tuned to KingdomMMA.co.uk for all the latest on UFC Fight Night 53 Sweden 

Niklas Backstrom vs Mike Wilkinson Set for UFC Return to Sweden

Niklas Backstrom vs Mike Wilkinson Set for UFC Return to Sweden

by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

Brit, Mike Wilkinson (8-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) will return from a long term injury which has seen him not fight since June 2013, to face undefeated Swedish prospect Niklas Backstrom (8-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 53. UFC Fight Night 53 takes place Oct. 4 at Ericsson Globe in Stockholm. UFC officials announced the featherweight bout earlier today.

A product of Allstar Training Center in Sweden alongside UFC fighters such as Alexander Gustaffson, and Magnus Cedenblad, Niklas Backstorm has been turning head since he impressively despatched top 10 German featherweight Max Coga via headkick in just 15 seconds to defeat at Europa MMA 1 to earn a place in the UFC.

A pro since 2009, the 24-year old made his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 41 in Berlin as a last minute replacement for Thiago Tavaras against Tom Niinimaki, who he submitted in spectacular fashion in the first round to earn a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus.  A former grappling champion, the towering 6-foot featherweight has taken 6 of his 8 career victory inside the distance - 4 by TKO, 2 by submission.

A cast member on The Ultimate Fighter: The Smashes, Wilkinson opened his pro career a perfect 8-0, including a decision victory over Brendan Loughnane in his UFC debut in 2012, before losing to Rony Jason at by 1st round submission at UFC on Fuel 10 in June 2013.

Following the lost to Jason, Wilkinson was expected to face Jimmy Hettis at UFC Fight Night 30 in Manchester, however an injury to his leg before the fight meant he was forced to withdraw. By the time he steps in the octagon with Backstrom, Wilkinson will have not fought in near 17 months.

With the addition of Backstrom vs Wilkinson, UFC Fight Night 53 now includes:

Nico Musoke vs. Amir Sadollah
Niklas Backstrom vs. Mike Wilkinson

Stay tuned to KingdomMMA.co.uk for all the latest on UFC Fight Night 53 Sweden