Thiago Tavares, Doo Ho Choi Paired for Featherweight Bout at ‘TUF 23’ Finale

Brazilian veteran Thiago Tavares will begin his 10th year as a UFC fighter with a featherweight matchup against hot prospect Doo Ho Choi.

The matchup was first reported on Saturday by Korean outlet SPOTV News. UFC officials have yet to confirm the bout, which will reportedly take place July 8 in Las Vegas as part of “The Ultimate Fighter 23” Finale.

Tavares, 31, spent the first 14 fights of his Octagon tenure as a lightweight before shifting down to 145 pounds in 2014. Since the cut, Tavares has gone 2-1 with “Performance of the Night”-winning victories over Clay Guida and Robbie Peralta, as well as a stoppage loss to Brian Ortega in a “Fight of the Night” bout.

Choi, 25, has tasted defeat just once in 14 professional outings and has knocked out both of his opponents since joining the UFC in 2014. The “Korean Superboy” last saw action in November, when he punched out Sam Sicilia in just 93 seconds before a hometown crowd at UFC Fight Night Seoul.