Misha Cirkunov vs. Jim Crute Announced for UFC Vancouver on Sept. 14

The first bout for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s upcoming trip to Vancouver is official, as Misha Cirkunov will square off against Jim Crute in a light heavyweight clash.

The Las Vegas-based promotion announced the pairing on Monday. UFC Vancouver takes place at Rogers Arena on Sept. 14. The main card is expected to air on ESPN+. A headliner for the event has not been revealed.

After beginning his Octagon tenure with four consecutive triumphs, Cirkunov has fallen on hard times in recent years. The 32-year-old Latvian has lost three of his last four promotional appearances, including a 38-second technical knockout defeat to Johnny Walker at UFC 235 this past March.

Crute, meanwhile, earned a UFC contract with a with a win over Chris Birchler on Season 2 of Dana White’s Contender Series. Since then, he has finished Paul Craig and Sam Alvey in his first two Octagon appearances to run his career record to 10-0.