A lightweight confrontation between Dennis Hallman and Thiago Tavares planned for UFC 150 in Denver is now expected to take place two weeks later at UFC 151.
Hallman, 36, is a 16-year veteran of the sport who made his UFC debut in 2000. Ten years after challenging Jens Pulver for the UFC lightweight title, Hallman attempted to return to the division at UFC 140 in December but could only cut down to 158.5 pounds, resulting in the bout becoming a catch-weight affair. Nevertheless, “Superman” overwhelmed Canadian striker John Makdessi that night, giving the former welterweight his third win in four fights.
Like his upcoming opponent, Tavares has also won three of his last four. Though he suffered a devastating second-round knockout loss to Shane Roller to kick off 2011, the 27-year-old responded with a finish of his own, stopping veteran Spencer Fisher last August in the promotion's long-awaited return to Brazil at UFC 134. The jiu-jitsu black belt once again competed on home soil in his most recent in-cage appearance, outpointing Sam Stout at January's UFC 142.