Raphael Assuncao vs. Bryan Caraway Added To UFC Fight Night Halifax
A crucial match up in the bantamweight division between top contenders Raphael Assuncao and Bryan Caraway has been added to UFC Fight Night 54 in Halifax.
The bout was revealed earlier today by the UFC for the October event which is filling up quickly.
UFC Fight Night 54 takes place at the Metro Center in Nova Scotia, Halifax, Canada. The main event features a five-round battle in the welterweight division between Rory MacDonald and former Strikeforce champion Tarec Saffiedine.
Assuncao vs. Caraway will most likely be taking place on the main card. Tickets for the event go on sale Friday to the general public, with UFC Fight Club members having the chance to purchase them on Wednesday and on Thursday for UFC newsletter subscribers.
Assuncao makes his return to the Octagon looking to stretch his current six-fight winning streak. He’s the only man in the 135 pound division who holds a win over the current champion T.J. Dillashaw. The No.3 ranked bantamweight was lined up to fight him early this year. However, he was unable to accept the bout due to a rib injury.
The Brazilian will face a tough test in Caraway, who seems to have a peak in his career with five wins in his last six fights. His lone loss in that time was a close split-decision to top contender Takeya Mizugaki. A victory over Assuncao will put “Kid Lightning” right in the mix at 135 pounds.
On top of Assuncao vs. Caraway, the UFC have also booked a women’s strawweight bout for UFN 54 between 20-year Paige VanZant and Kailin Curran who will both be making their Octagon debut.
VanZant is currently the youngest female fighter in the UFC and second youngest fighter overall. Her opponent enters the Octagon with an unbeaten record of 3-0 following an extensive amateur career.
With the additional matches UFC Fight Night 54 now stands as followed:
Rory MacDonald vs. Tarec Saffiedine
Raphael Assuncao vs. Bryan Caraway
Paige VanZant vs. Kailin Curran
