Simpson-Munoz Joins UFC 123 Lineup

Aaron Simpson will collide with Mark Munoz in a pivotal middleweight duel at UFC 123 “Rampage vs. Machida” on Nov. 20 at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Mich. Three fights are now official for the event, which marks the promotion’s first stop in the Detroit area in more than a decade.

A two-time collegiate All-American wrestler at Arizona State University, Simpson suffered his first professional defeat in June, when he succumbed to second-round punches from Chris Leben at “The Ultimate Fighter 11” Finale in Las Vegas. The 36-year-old Gunnison, Colo., native was a four-time state wrestling champion in high school, where he compiled a remarkable 142-1 record. Simpson won his first seven mixed martial arts bouts, finishing six of them.

Munoz wrestled collegiately at Oklahoma State University, where he was a two-time All-American and became the first Filipino-American to win a Div. I national championship. The 32-year-old father of four now trains alongside UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva at the Black House camp. Munoz last appeared in August, when he dropped a split decision to the world-ranked Yushin Okami at UFC Live 2. Victories against “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 winner Kendall Grove, former Sportfight champion Mike Pierce, Strikeforce veteran Ryan Jensen and Tony Rubalcava -- the only man to defeat fast-rising American Kickboxing Academy prospect Luke Rockhold -- anchor Munoz’s resume. He has four first-round finishes among his eight wins.

A light heavyweight showdown between former champions Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Lyoto Machida will headline UFC 123, along with the rubber match between former welterweight titleholders B.J. Penn and Matt Hughes.

UFC 123: Machida vs. Rampage
Saturday, Nov. 20
The Palace of Auburn Hills
Auburn Hills, Mich.

Quinton Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida
B.J. Penn vs. Matt Hughes
Aaron Simpson vs. Mark Munoz
* George Sotiropoulos vs. Joe Lauzon
* Rory MacDonald vs. Matt Brown
* Tyson Griffin vs. Nik Lentz
* Phil Davis vs. Tim Boetsch
* Edson Barboza vs. Darren Elkins
* Karo Parisyan vs. Dennis Hallman
* Paul Kelly vs. Gabe Ruediger

* Not Official