Report: John Cholish vs. Mitch Clarke Planned for UFC 140 in Toronto

[WrestlingSmarks News]

Even though the card is nearly four months away, the UFC has wasted little time in starting to book fights for their return to Toronto on December 10th, which will serve as UFC 140. MMA Weekly reports that the first addition is a lightweight bout featuring two UFC newcomers: submission specialist, John Cholish, and Canadian native, Mitch Clarke.

Sources close to the match-up confirmed that the fight has been verbally agreed to by both fighters, but bout agreements have not been issued just yet.

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Cholish is a submission specialist who trains under John Danaher and Renzo Gracie at Gracie's academy in New York City, but his professional background is quite interesting given his Ivy League degree from Cornell University (where he wrestled) and his full-time job as a Wall Street stockbroker. Cholish somehow manages to find time to juggle his career in the financial sector with active MMA competition and he has found success in both areas, following up a loss in his pro debut with seven straight wins.

Clarke, meanwhile, is undefeated with nine victories to his name. A native of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, he's been courted by the UFC for some time, but will finally make the jump to the big leagues this December in front of his fellow Canadians.

John Cholish (7-1)
Win Jameel Massouh (submission - guillotine) - CFFC 9
Win Marc Stevens (submission - kneebar) - Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Silva
Win Rich Moskowitz (submission - inverted triangle choke) - ROC 32
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Mitch Clarke (9-0)
Win Eddie Rincon (unam. decision) - EFC 8
Win Josh Machan (submission - rear naked choke) - TFC 11
Win Brandon MacArthur (submission - rear naked choke) - TFC 10
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UFC 140 airs live on pay per view from the Air Canada Center on December 10th. Bloody Elbow will continue to update you on the card as it develops.