Jess Liaudin (12-10) and David Bielkheden (12-6) will each drop 15 pounds and meet in a lightweight bout at UFC 89: “Leben vs. Bisping” in Birmingham, England, at The National Indoor Arena (NIA) on October 18.
MMAmania.com confirmed over the weekend that the 155-pound match up is possible for the show, which is slated to air for free via tape delay on Spike TV.
Liaudin – who is a veteran of the European UFC circuit as a welterweight – will try his hand in the division after suffering back-to-back defeats his last two times out at 170 pounds.
Indeed, the losses to Paul Taylor (split decision) and Marcus Davis (knockout) likely prompted the move even though the French-born British fighter won his first two fights inside the Octagon.
Bielkheden – a Brazilian Top Team member and jiu-jitsu black belt – was a veteran of the Japanese mixed martial arts (MMA) scene, having competed under the Pride FC and Shooto banners, among others.
The “Scandinavian Lion” was on a two-fight win streak before running into a buzz saw, Diego Sanchez, in his Octagon debut back at UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion” in March. “The Nightmare” had Bielkheden tapping because of strikes late in round one.
UFC 89 features the middleweight tilt between Michael Bisping and Chris Leben, as well as a potential welterweight war when Thiago Alves and Diego Sanchez meet in the center of the cage.
(Thanks to MMAmania.com contributor “Mr. NC-17″ for the reminder.)
14 Comments »
first!!
congrats.
The Scandanavian Lion, David Beilkeden will iterally destroy Luadin at lIghtweight….Beikheden droppin down to 155 lbs is genious because he wil be a force to be taken serious at that division.
I will be betting a ton on Beilkeheden in thss fight.
For those who do not have a DVR..on want to know which event is worth more tunning into Fedor or Anderson Silva Affliction/ or UFN14:
http://sports.espn.go.com/extra/mma/news/story?id=3485735
Cool article. Advantage = Affliction
Yes Sir!!!
some might have to break out the old vcr! ha! or wait till the next day to watch the ufn. plus you know spike will have replays of this event during the week.
Even if you dont have a DVR…THe UFN even wil re-run the day that THe UFC is countering EliteXC july 26thh event with UFC 84 on Spike…During that same day Spike will re-air Silva/Irvin during the day leading up too the UFC 84 reruns!
Who is the other guy? Ive got tickets and didnt want to see the french guy. dana white you disgust me!
dude realy? you love bisping so much that even though he’s fighting on this card you won’t watch it cause some dudes you don’t know yet is on the card? wow you are a true fan my friend. and as much as you talk about bisping you remind me of ortiz08 only with bisping insted of tito
my fellow swede will win this fight.
Easy fight for David Bielkheden. Truth is that they guy has great potentia. Also, going in to the octagon for the first time you probably have jitters and on your fighting Sanchez.
Why not watch UFN live and then order the Affliction card later??