TUF China Finale adds Jordan vs. Mitrione, Hioki vs. Menjivar, Nam vs. Tokudome
SINGAPORE – One day after the live finale for “The Ultimate Fighter: China†was announced, the card now has three additional fights.
UFC Asia Managing Director Mark Fischer today announced that in addition to the Dong Hyun Kim vs. John Hathaway headliner, the TUF China Finale will also include heavyweights Shawn Jordan vs. Matt Mitrione, featherweights Hatsu Hioki vs. Ivan Menjivar and lightweights Yui Chul Nam vs. Kazuki Tokudome.
The TUF China Finale takes place March 1 at The Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena and streams on UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s recently launched digital network.
“The Savage†Jordan (15-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) fought most recently in Octovber, when he suffered a knockout loss to Gabriel Gonzaga. Prior to that, he owned an impressive two-fight winning streak after registering knockout wins over Pat Barry and Mike Russow.
“Meathead†Mitrione (6-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) fights for the 10th time under the UFC banner. In April, he picked up a much-needed win over Phil De Fries, snapping a two-fight losing streak. However when Mitrione returned to action in September, he suffered a technical-submission loss to fellow “The Ultimate Fighter 10†cast member Brendan Schaub.
Hioki (26-7-2 MMA, 2-3 UFC) came to the UFC in 2011 as one of the sport’s highest-ranked featherweights. He picked a few tight decision wins over Bart Palaszewski and George Roop but has since come up short against Darren Elkins, Clay Guida and Ricardo Lamas and is in desperate need of a win.
Menjivar (25-11 MMA, 4-4 UFC) is a highly respected veteran of the sport who has been fighting professionally since 2001 and actually made his UFC debut in 2004, losing a decision to Matt Serra. He didn’t return to the promotion until 2011, when he racked up three wins over Charlie Valencia, Nick Pace and John Albert. However, he’s gone just 1-3 since and is also in need of a win.
Tokudome (12-4-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has been fighting professionally since 2007 and made his UFC debut this past March, when he earned a decision win over Cristiano Marcello. He returned to action in July but dropped a decision to Norman Parke.
Nam (17-4-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), “The Korean Bulldozer,†makes his UFC debut on the strength of a four-fight winning streak. The reigning champion of Korea’s ROAD FC promotion, Nam has been fighting since 2006 and is 7-1 in his past eight appearances.
