Daron Cruickshank vs KJ Noons Official For TUF 20 Finale
A potentially exciting lightweight scrap between Daron Cruickshank and K.J. Noons has been added to December 12’s The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 20 Finale from the Palms Resort Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cruickshank was last seen winning a decision over Anthony Njokuani at last Saturday’s (October 4, 2014) UFC Fight Night 54. “Detroit Superstar” has won three out of his last four bouts, with the only loss coming to rising contender Jorge Masvidal at UFC on FOX 12.
Prior to the loss, Cruickshank finished Erik Koch and Mike Rio with highlight reel head kicks to put his name on the lightweight radar.
He’ll look to get back there by defeating Noons, the talented boxer and Strikeforce alum whose last fight was a 30-second knockout victory over Sam Stout at April’s TUF Nations Finale from Quebec. He previously beat George Sotiropoulos by decision at UFC 166. Noons hasn’t fought all that much recently after fighting three times in 2013.
He ended his Strikeforce career with two losses to Josh Thomson and Ryan Couture, and made his UFC debut with another decision loss to Donald Cerrone. Citing nagging injuries and the birth of his child, Noons is apparently re-motivated and ready to make an assault on the highly talented UFC lightweight division.
Owning a win over former UFC title challenger Nick Diaz, Noons could be an outside force at 155 pounds if he can somehow get by Cruickshank.
Both fighters have absolute dynamite in their hands (and feet), making this bout a scrap to watch out for. Who is your early pick to win this battle of precise and powerful strikers?
