Bradley Answers UFC 133 Call, Meets Natal in Philadelphia
Brian Knapp Jul 25, 2011
Strikeforce veteran Paul
Bradley will make his promotional debut in a preliminary
middleweight matchup against Rafael
Natal at UFC
133 “Evans vs. Ortiz 2” on Aug. 2 at the Wells Fargo Center in
Philadelphia. UFC officials on Monday announced the bout.
Bradley (16-2, 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) replaces Constantinos Philippou, who agreed to move up on the UFC 133 lineup to face Jorge Rivera after Alessio Sakara bowed out with a knee injury. A two-time NCAA All-American wrestler, he will carry a three-fight winning streak into his first Octagon appearance. Bradley (Pictured; file photo) last fought at Extreme Challenge 188 on Saturday, when he submitted Eddie Larrea with a first-round triangle choke at the Target Center in Minneapolis. He has secured 10 of his 16 professional wins by knockout, technical knockout or submission, losing only to UFC veteran Mike Pierce and current Strikeforce middleweight title contender Luke Rockhold.
Representing Gracie Fusion, Natal (12-3-1, 0-1-1 UFC) has yet to taste victory during his UFC career. Debuting with the promotion in September, the Brazilian fell in his first Octagon outing to Rich Attonito. “Sapo” then fought three months later at UFC 124 in Montreal, battling Canadian Jesse Bongfeldt to a majority draw. A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the Renzo Gracie protégé holds seven of his 12 career victories by submission. Natal has only been finished twice in nearly six years as a professional.
A rematch between former light heavyweight champions Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz will headline UFC 133, which will air live on pay-per-view.
Bradley (16-2, 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) replaces Constantinos Philippou, who agreed to move up on the UFC 133 lineup to face Jorge Rivera after Alessio Sakara bowed out with a knee injury. A two-time NCAA All-American wrestler, he will carry a three-fight winning streak into his first Octagon appearance. Bradley (Pictured; file photo) last fought at Extreme Challenge 188 on Saturday, when he submitted Eddie Larrea with a first-round triangle choke at the Target Center in Minneapolis. He has secured 10 of his 16 professional wins by knockout, technical knockout or submission, losing only to UFC veteran Mike Pierce and current Strikeforce middleweight title contender Luke Rockhold.
Representing Gracie Fusion, Natal (12-3-1, 0-1-1 UFC) has yet to taste victory during his UFC career. Debuting with the promotion in September, the Brazilian fell in his first Octagon outing to Rich Attonito. “Sapo” then fought three months later at UFC 124 in Montreal, battling Canadian Jesse Bongfeldt to a majority draw. A black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, the Renzo Gracie protégé holds seven of his 12 career victories by submission. Natal has only been finished twice in nearly six years as a professional.
A rematch between former light heavyweight champions Rashad Evans and Tito Ortiz will headline UFC 133, which will air live on pay-per-view.
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