Erik Perez-Edwin Figueroa Bantamweight Clash Targeted for UFC 167 in Las Vegas

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A showdown between bantamweights Erik Perez and Edwin Figueroa is in the works for UFC 167.

Sherdog.com recently learned of the matchup from a source close to the bout, although the pairing has not been officially announced by the promotion.

UFC 167, which marks the organization’s 20th anniversary, takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas on Nov. 16 and is headlined by a welterweight title tilt between Georges St. Pierre and Johny Hendricks. The card also pits Rashad Evans against Chael Sonnen in a light heavyweight co-main event.

After beginning his promotional tenure with first-round finishes of John Albert, Ken Stone and Byron Bloodworth, Perez suffered his first setback in nearly three years at UFC Fight Night 27, dropping a split decision to Japanese veteran Takeya Mizugaki in Indianapolis. A 23-year-old representative of Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts, “El Goyito” has earned 11 of his 13 career triumphs by way of knockout, technical knockout or submission.

Figueroa, 29, will look to end a two-fight skid in the Octagon against his Mexican-born opponent. The Mohler MMA product suffered a second-round TKO loss to Francisco Rivera in February before losing a three-round verdict to Roland Delorme at UFC 161. Prior to that, “El Feroz” had won two of his first three Octagon outings, besting Jason Reinhardt and Alex Caceres after losing a competitive decision in his UFC debut against world-ranked bantamweight Michael McDonald.