chief108
21st January 2010, 13:59
SOURCE (http://mmajunkie.com/news/17629/tuf-9-lightweight-winner-ross-pearson-returns-at-ufc-fight-night-21.mma?utm_source=mmasweep&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=mmajunkie&utm_content=Twitter)
"The Ultimate Fighter 9" winner Ross Pearson (10-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC) joins Team Rough House teammate Andre Winner at UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31 in North Carolina.
http://mmajunkie.com/dyn/images/fighters/ross-pearson.jpg
Sources close to the situation told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Pearson is definitely booked for the event, but his opponent currently remains unclear.
Additional sources indicated Pearson had been expected to face Matt Wiman at the event, but the "Handsome" lightweight has been forced to withdraw from the card with an undisclosed minor injury.
UFC Fight Night 21, which serves as a lead-in for the debut of "The Ultimate Fighter 11" on Spike TV, takes place in North Carolina, though UFC officials said as of Wednesday a host city and venue have not yet been officially determined.
Pearson, 25, most recently appeared on home turf at UFC 105 this past November, where he defeated veteran Aaron Riley by cut stoppage in the second round (Winner also appeared on the card, knocking out Roli Delgado).
Once a prospective bricklayer in his hometown of Sunderland, England, Pearson began fighting in 2004 and amassed a record of 7-3 fighting on the local U.K. circuit before auditioning for the UFC's popular reality show.
Pearson then defeated A.J. Wenn to earn his spot in the "TUF" house and went on to best Richie Whitson and Jason Dent before facing Winner in the show's finale this past June. In a hard-fought battle, Pearson dominated the action for three full rounds and took the title of "The Ultimate Fighter."
The four U.K. veterans to keep their UFC contracts after the show — Pearson, Winner, Nick Osipczak, and James Wilks — have amassed a combined 6-2 record inside the octagon.
"The Ultimate Fighter 9" winner Ross Pearson (10-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC) joins Team Rough House teammate Andre Winner at UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31 in North Carolina.
http://mmajunkie.com/dyn/images/fighters/ross-pearson.jpg
Sources close to the situation told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) that Pearson is definitely booked for the event, but his opponent currently remains unclear.
Additional sources indicated Pearson had been expected to face Matt Wiman at the event, but the "Handsome" lightweight has been forced to withdraw from the card with an undisclosed minor injury.
UFC Fight Night 21, which serves as a lead-in for the debut of "The Ultimate Fighter 11" on Spike TV, takes place in North Carolina, though UFC officials said as of Wednesday a host city and venue have not yet been officially determined.
Pearson, 25, most recently appeared on home turf at UFC 105 this past November, where he defeated veteran Aaron Riley by cut stoppage in the second round (Winner also appeared on the card, knocking out Roli Delgado).
Once a prospective bricklayer in his hometown of Sunderland, England, Pearson began fighting in 2004 and amassed a record of 7-3 fighting on the local U.K. circuit before auditioning for the UFC's popular reality show.
Pearson then defeated A.J. Wenn to earn his spot in the "TUF" house and went on to best Richie Whitson and Jason Dent before facing Winner in the show's finale this past June. In a hard-fought battle, Pearson dominated the action for three full rounds and took the title of "The Ultimate Fighter."
The four U.K. veterans to keep their UFC contracts after the show — Pearson, Winner, Nick Osipczak, and James Wilks — have amassed a combined 6-2 record inside the octagon.