It appears that Nick Catone will indeed finally get the opportunity to make his debut inside the Octagon at UFC Fight Night 17 at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla., on February 7.
Derek Downey (10-3) will fill-in for The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 7 season winner, Amir Sadollah, who sustained an injury while training for the middleweight bout, according to several published reports. It, too, will mark the promotional debut for Downey.
Catone was first was expected to compete against Sadollah at UFC 91: “Lesnar vs. Couture” on November 15. However, just four days before fight night, Sadollah was scratched because of a leg infection. He fight was the rebooked to take place in Tampa, but again, Sadollah was bit by the injury bug.
Perhaps some things — or fights in this case — just aren’t meant to be.
Downey is on a three-fight win streak and has been victorious in five of his last six contests. He is based out of Utah, fighting primary for smaller organizations out west such as Ultimate Combat Experience (UCE).
“The Gentleman” has faced UFC-caliber competition in the past, including Josh Burkman (loss), Ed Herman (loss) and Brandon Melendez (win).
Catone — who trains under Brazilian jiu-jitsu stud Ricardo Almeida in Hamilton, N.J. — has been active since 2007 on the northeast fighting circuit. He has finished his last three opponents via technical knockout under the Ring of Combat banner.
UFC Fight Night 17 will feature a main event between TUF 5 alum Joe Lauzon against budding lightweight talent, Jeremy Stephens, in the main event. Stephens recently replaced the injured Hermes Franca. The fight between Catone and Downey will more than likely not be guaranteed to air during the televised portion of the Spike TV broadcast.
To check out the latest UFC Fight Night 17 fight card and rumors click here.
16 Comments »
amir jesus! we saw you on tuf and bearly got a scratch! now you get nasty, and hurt.. make a comeback with a ko!
lol is amir EVER going to fight?
I am veryy happy to see this fight booke. I could car eless about the match up because I dont know much about either fighter but Catone has been on hold for a while now waiting for amir….and thats not right! He is definitly not making any real money and I feel for the kid being sidlined, not earning a paycheck while the UFC’s TUF goldenboy heals from injuries!
not the best fight but at least he is finally fighting someone! that guy has been waiting for his chance for ages now hopefully he makes a good impression
and hopefully Amir will heal quick and have a lot of fights without being injured and without losing
So amir didnt drop down to WW yet?
Derek Downey?! I went to High School with that kid. He’s a great guy and a great competitor, this aughta be good! Good luck Downey!
Interestingly enough they still haven’t anounced that Amir is hurt on UFC.com
Derek Downey trains at my gym… he’s a stud. I’ll be putting money on him.
This should be a really solid fight. Catone is a beast, I have seen some of his fights and the guy can bring it from any position. He has a active guard, solid hands and a decent jab for MMA. Amir would have had trouble. Downey trains at your gym? How are his training partners? How is his cardio? JJ guy or does he want to keep the fight standing?
I think in a few years Amir will turn out to be a better TUF champion than Kendall Grove, Mac Danzig, Travis Lutter and Ryan Bader. He is still very raw and after he rehabs and gets back in shape, which my advice would be to take all the time you need. He is still very young and he does not need to rush himself back. That just makes you vulnerable to another problem physically. He has a great foundation of skills and who knows how much better he has gotten in the training he has had so far. He could be an absolute hog that we just haven’t seen yet. I’m rootin’ for the guy.
Derek splits his time training up at Jeremy Horn’s gym in Salt Lake and then down in Orem at Throwdown — they’ve got a fight team with a many of the top local prospects that trains in the eventing. He’s finished most of the fights I’ve seen live very quickly by either GNP or submission within the first two minutes, but I know he went the distance with Josh Burkman a few years ago so his cardio has been tested. His specialty is the ground — he’s not a BJJ black belt, but I know he’s subbed a few in grappling tournaments around here and that’s where he tries to get fights, but his standup is solid… he can carry himself there too.
Has there been a worse TUF champion than Amir? His only professional fight was the finale against Upper Lip, and he’s pulled out of two fights with injury. Dana will have him play out his contract on undercards and send him on his way.
ne1 know what Gilbert Yvels entrance song is called its really bugging me that i cant think of the name of it?
This should be a really solid fight. Catone is a beast, I have seen some of his fights and the guy can bring it from any position. He has a active guard, solid hands and a decent jab for MMA. Amir would have had trouble. Downey trains at your gym? What are his training partners like? His cardio? JJ or Standup fighter? Thanks…
I think in a few years Amir will turn out to be a better TUF champion than Kendall Grove, Mac Danzig, Travis Lutter and Ryan Bader. He needs to completely rehab his injuries before he tries to comeback and fight. Rushing back will just make you vulnerable again physically. He has a great foundation of skills and who knows how much better he has gotten with the training he has had since the finale. He could be a beast, he has had bad luck but the tide will turn and he will be smashing skulls this time next year…
I think the only reason why this fight was on the main card is because of Amir. Now that Amir is injured, this fight between Catone and Downey should be bumped down to the preliminary bout and Anthony Johnson vs Luigi Fioravanti should be bumped up to the main card.
Rumble’s fights are always exciting.
Catone will win this fight via TKO from strikes in the mount.
I’m goin with Downey on this one. He’s a tough fighter and get’s the shit done. GOOD LUCK DOWNEY!!!