UFC Books Hunt-Rothwell, Signs Unbeaten Prospect Miocic

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In the week following its most recent No. 1 contender’s contest, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s heavyweight division is staying active.

UFC officials Wednesday announced the addition of a bout between big men Mark Hunt and Ben Rothwell to the card for UFC 135, set to take place Sept. 24 at Denver’s Pepsi Center.

“Verbal agreements are in for a battle between heavyweights, as devastating striker Mark ‘The Super Samoan’ Hunt faces the 6-foot-4 powerhouse Ben Rothwell,” UFC President Dana White stated in a posting on UFC.com.

Hunt, 37, recently snapped a six-fight losing skid which stretched back to 2006. After submitting to a straight armbar in his September UFC debut against Sean McCorkle, the former kickboxing champion scored “Knockout of the Night” at UFC 127 in February with a second-round plastering of Chris Tuchscherer. Hunt faced some of the sport’s toughest fighters during his stints in Pride and Dream, including Fedor Emelianenko, Wanderlei Silva and Alistair Overeem.

Rothwell, 29, has also split his two Octagon appearances to date, falling by TKO to Cain Velasquez before rebounding with a June 2010 decisioning of Gilbert Yvel. The Wisconsin native has been sidelined since the Yvel bout, having undergone knee surgery to repair both his ACL and torn meniscus.

Word also broke this week that the UFC has inked undefeated heavyweight prospect Stipe Miocic to a multi-fight contract. North American Allied Fight Series, the Ohio-based promotion whose heavyweight title Miocic currently holds, confirmed the news in a Tuesday release.

“My goal has been to become a UFC champion,” stated the 28-year-old Miocic. “I am grateful to [UFC Matchmaker] Joe Silva and Dana White for the opportunity to live my dream. I am anxious and ready to begin my UFC career and to show the UFC and fans around the world what I’m all about.”

Miocic is a former NCAA Division I wrestler and baseball player at Cleveland State University who currently daylights as a firefighter in Oakwood, Ohio. The Strong Style Fight Team representative has finished all six of his opponents since turning pro in February 2010, most recently capturing the NAAFS title with a June 4 beating of Bobby Brents.

Information on Miocic’s UFC debut date and opponent is expected to be announced shortly, according to the release.