Once-Delayed Koch-Swanson Bout Now Tapped for UFC 132

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Four months after their ill-fated original meeting was to take place, Erik Koch and Cub Swanson will finally get to square off.

The UFC announced Tuesday that the featherweights have “verbally agreed” to meet at UFC 132, which takes place July 2 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Koch and Swanson were first paired for UFC Live 3 on March 3, but Swanson was forced to withdraw due to a tooth infection just 10 days prior to the bout. Koch instead fought Raphael Assuncao on March 19, earning “Knockout of the Night” honors for his first-round drubbing of the Brazilian at UFC 128.

Koch, 22, has pocketed back-to-back “Knockout” bonuses, having finished his World Extreme Cagefighting career in style last November by disposing of Francisco Rivera in 96 seconds. Also included in the Roufusport product’s current three-fight win streak is a June 2010 triangle-choking of experienced French veteran Bendy Casimir.

In his UFC debut, Swanson will see his first action since November, when the 27-year-old took a split decision over Mackens Semerzier at WEC 52. The Californian is 2-2 in his last four outings, alternating wins against Semerzier and John Franchi with losses to Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes.

UFC 132 will be headlined by the promotion’s first bantamweight title bout, as 135-pound champion Dominick Cruz defends his belt against old rival and former WEC featherweight ruler Urijah Faber.