McDonald-Faber Booked, Pettis-Grant Targeted for UFC on Fox 9 in Sacramento

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A bantamweight showdown between top contenders Michael McDonald and Urijah Faber has been booked for UFC on Fox 9.

UFC officials announced the co-headlining attraction on Wednesday’s new episode of “UFC Tonight.” It was also revealed that the organization is targeting a lightweight title headliner between Anthony Pettis and T.J. Grant at the event, though that booking is not official.

The Dec. 14 show takes place at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Calif., and airs live on Fox. The event is also expected to feature an appearance from Faber’s teammate, Chad Mendes.

Known for his power punching, McDonald has lost just once in his last nine fights, succumbing to a fourth-round arm-triangle choke courtesy of interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao. “Mayday” rebounded from the defeat in his most recent outing, however, scoring an Aug. 17 submission victory over British talent Brad Pickett at UFC Fight Night 26.

Faber, meanwhile, has won three straight fights heading into his clash with McDonald. Twelve years the senior of his 22-year-old opponent, Faber is a former World Extreme Cagefighting featherweight champion and owns a 6-2 record since dropping to 135 pounds, with his only defeats coming to Barao and reigning champion Dominick Cruz. Like McDonald, Faber last competed on Aug. 17, when he weathered an early scare from Iuri Alcantara to outpoint the Brazilian in a unanimous decision.