Fighters from Denver, Finland to make UFC debuts
The UFC’s February return to Omaha, Neb., continues to take shape with the addition of a preliminary card fight pairing two promotional newcomers.
Justin Salas and Anton Kuivanen will meet in a lightweight bout at UFC on Fuel TV: Sanchez vs. Ellenberger. UFC officials recently announced the matchup, which will take place Feb. 15 at the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
Salas (9-3) makes his UFC debut on the strength of a five-fight winning streak that includes decision victories over UFC veteran Rob Emerson and Bellator veteran Joe Ellenberger his last two trips out. Ellenberger, twin brother of UFC fighter Jake Ellenberger, who ironically headlines the card in Omaha, lost for the first time in his career to Salas. The Grudge Training Center product won Victory Fighting Championships’ lightweight title with the win over Ellenberger, which took place on his opponent’s home turf just across the river from Omaha in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Kuivanen (16-4) will be fighting in America for the first time in his career. The lightweight, from Finland, has won nine straight fights over the last three years. He is a veteran of K-1 Hero’s and Shooto and has 12 of his 16 career victories by stoppage, including eight submissions.
The UFC’s first full card on Fuel TV under the seven-year broadcast deal with Fox will also be its first trip to Omaha since UFC Fight Night 15 in September 2008, a card headlined by Nate Diaz vs. Josh Neer. The card will be headlined by a welterweight bout between Diego Sanchez and Omaha native and resident Jake Ellenberger. Also on the main card, Stefan Struve meets Dave “Pee Wee” Herman.