After suffering a controversial Split Decision loss to Sean Sherk at UFC 119, Evan Dunham will have an even tougher test in his next fight. As reported this evening on MMA Live on ESPN2, Dunham and former title challenger Kenny “KenFlo” Florian have verbally agreed to square off in early 2011.
The fight is reportedly targeted for February 5th at the tentatively titled UFC 127, which is rumoured to be taking place in Las Vegas. Both Dunham and Florian will be looking to rebound from losses in their most recent fights as each one aims to get back into the UFC’s lightweight title picture.
Dunham (11-1-0) won his first four fights inside the Octagon, including a pair of Split Decision victories over Marcus “Maximus” Aurelio and Tyson Griffin. Neither of the fights, especially the bout with Griffin, appeared to be close enough to warrant a Split Decision and Dunham once again ran into trouble with the cageside judges in his UFC 119 bout with Sherk. Having seemingly won two of the three rounds, Dunham appeared to have just picked up his biggest victory to date and a possible title shot in 2011, but two judges sided with Sherk and Dunham was left with the first blemish on his record. Not wasting any time, he will step right back into the fire.
Florian (13-5-0), who has twice challenged for the UFC Lightweight Championship, looked to put himself back in line for another run at the title when he faced Gray “The Bully” Maynard at UFC 118, but came up on the wrong end of a one-sided Unanimous Decision. The loss set Florian back a few steps in the division, but the jiu-jitsu specialist remains one of the promotion’s top fighters at 155 pounds and a convincing win over Dunham would put Florian right back in the title mix. He has won eight of his last ten fights, with the lone defeats coming against Maynard and former champion BJ Penn, and with key wins over Joe Lauzon and Takanori Gomi.
With Florian vowing to work hard to improve his wrestling after the tough loss to Maynard, he may need his newfound skills against Dunham, who is a very talented wrestler himself. Both fighters are skilled in submissions and have added tools to their striking games to add depth to their skillsets. The potential fight is a very interesting matchup and could determine a future title challenger later in 2011.
The tentatively titled UFC 127 is set for February 5, 2011 at an as-yet unannounced venue. The event is expected to take place in Las Vegas, though no official announcements have been made.
(Photo Credit: Sherdog.com)