‘TUF’ Winners Michael Chiesa, Colton Smith Square Off at UFC ‘Fight for the Troops 3’

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Two past winners of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show, Michael Chiesa and Colton Smith, will square off at UFC Fight Night 31 “Fight for the Troops 3.”

UFC officials announced the news Tuesday on “UFC Tonight.” The card takes place Nov. 6 at Fort Campbell in Hopkinsville, Ky., and is headlined by a middleweight showdown between ex-UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida and former two-time Strikeforce title contender Tim Kennedy.

Chiesa, 25, was last month handed his first pro defeat by Jorge Masvidal, who weathered some early offense from “Maverick” to earn a second-round submission victory over the “TUF 15” winner at UFC on Fox 8. Prior to that setback, Chiesa had won back-to-back bouts to begin his Octagon career, choking out “TUF” castmate Al Iaquinta before doing the same to Anton Kuivanen in February.

One year older than his upcoming foe, Smith was also finished in his last outing, suffering a third-round knockout to “TUF: Smashes” winner Robert Whitaker on May 25. Smith captured the “TUF 16” title by outpointing Canadian prospect Mike Ricci last December at the live season finale, scoring a unanimous verdict to pick up the third win of his pro career.