Report: Barboza-Njokuani Scheduled for UFC 128
Mike Whitman Dec 28, 2010
Jeff
Sherwood | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Up-and-coming Brazilian Edson Mendes Barboza Jr. will likely square off against acquired WEC talent Anthony Njokuani at UFC 128, going down March 19 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
The news was first reported early Tuesday morning by MMA Junkie. According to the report, ink has yet to be put to paper, but verbal agreements are in place for the bout. Neither the matchup nor the event has been officially announced by the UFC.
A dominant kickboxer, Barboza comes fresh off a one-sided victory over Mike Lullo at UFC 123 in his UFC debut. Throughout the fight, the Brazilian battered Lullo's lead leg with kicks until the American could no longer stand. The bout was mercifully waved off 26 seconds into the third period. Just 24 years old, Barboza has finished all seven of his opponents under mixed rules and holds all but one of his victories by knockout.
In Njokuani, Barboza faces another kickboxing talent with knockout power. In 2009, the Nigeria native earned three consecutive “Knockout of the Night” awards for his performances against Bart Palaszewski, Muhsin Corbbrey and Chris Horodecki, respectively. Following those dominant showings, however, Njokuani hit a slump, dropping back-to-back contests to Shane Roller and Maciej Jewtuszko to start 2010. The 30-year-old rebounded, however, knocking out Edward Faaloloto at WEC 52 to close the year at 1-2.
UFC 128 will likely be headlined by a light heavyweight title clash between champion Mauricio Rua and challenger Rashad Evans. Also featured will be a welterweight scrap between Mike Pyle and Ricardo Almeida as well as a lightweight duel pitting Kurt Pellegrino against Gleison Tibau.
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