Welterweights Jake Ellenberger (22-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and John Howard (14-4 MMA, 4-0 UFC) are expected to clash on the televised portion of UFC on Versus 2.
MMA Diehards first reported the news earlier today and MMAjunkie.com has subsequently confirmed the match-up with sources close to the event. While bout agreements yet to be issued, both camps have agreed to the fight and are expected to put pen to paper shortly.
As MMAjunkie.com reported Monday, the Utah Athletic Commission green-lighted UFC on Versus 2 for Aug. 1 at the EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City. A formal announcement from the promotion is expected soon.
Soon after the organization's first Versus-televised event, which took place March 21 in Broomfield, Colo., UFC president Dana White said the UFC planned to a host second one on Aug. 1 in Oakland, Calif. Instead, the UFC heads to Salt Lake City to make its Utah debut with UFC on Versus 2, and Oakland is expected to feature a major PPV event on Aug. 7, possibly UFC 117.
Ellenberger, 25, was slated to take on Ben Saunders at UFC 111 on March 27 but was taken off the card when Thiago Alves did not gain medical clearance to fight Jon Fitch on the event's main card and Saunders subsequently stepped in to the slot. Ellenberger was paid his show and win purse for his troubles.
The Omaha, Nebraska native reversed his fortune in his second and most recent octagon performance when he defeated Mike Pyle by TKO at UFC 108 in January. He suffered a split decision loss to former WEC welterweight champion Carlos Condit in his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 19 this past September.
The 27-year-old Howard is fresh off an emphatic KO victory over UFC newcomer Daniel Roberts at UFC on Versus 1 in March. The ground-and-pound win netted him an additional $50,000 bonus for "Knockout of the Night."
Howard was originally scheduled to fight Anthony Johnson on the Versus-televised card before Johnson withdrew due to a knee injury. The two have since sparred in the press.
The Boston native is currently undefeated inside the octagon with four consecutive victories.
Source: http://mmajunkie.com/news/18810/jake-el ... rsus-2.mma