TUF Nations middleweight, and four-time Olympic Judoka, Daniel Kelly, is the latest Australian fighter to join the UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs Bisping lineup. As announced by the UFC Friday, Kelly will make his UFC debut against American Luke Zachrich at the event, which takes place on Saturday, November 8, at the Allphones Arena in Sydney.
A middleweight grudge match between Michael Bisping and Luke Rockhold will serve as the main event. Meanwhile, a host of matchups were announced Thursday at a UFC press conference in Sydney. The updated lineup can be found below.
For Kelly (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), this fight be his first following his time on TUF Nations, which saw him bundled out of the Australia vs Canada series in the opening bracket, by eventual finalist Sheldon Wescott. The 36 year-old Aussie was recently slated to meet Steve Kennedy in a long anticipated grudge match at AFC 10, however he reportedly suffered a fractured collarbone and was forced to the sidelines.
Like Kelly, Zachrich (14-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is a TUF veteran, featuring in the seventh series of the show. The 32 year-old also suffered a first round exit, losing by TKO to Dan Cramer. Six years later, the American made his UFC debut in April of this year and lost to Caio Magalhaes via TKO. He later made a successful return to the winners column with a decision win over Guilherme Vasconcelos at UFC 175.
In other UFC Fight Night: Rockhold vs Bisping news, Hector Lombard announced on Twitter Friday that he won’t be fighting in Sydney after all. The adopted Aussie was previously expected to be added to the lineup.
Updated Fight Card:
- Michael Bisping vs Luke Rockhold
- Anthony Perosh vs Guto Inocente
- Robert Whittaker vs Clint Hester
- Soa Palelei vs Daniel Omielanczuk
- Jake Matthews vs Vagner Rocha
- Vik Grujic vs Chris Clements
- Dylan Andrews vs Sam Alvey
- Daniel Kelly vs Luke Zachrich
* Pictured: Daniel Kelly
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