Ramsey Nijem Meets Newcomer CJ Keith at UFC on FX: Maynard vs. Guida

Ramsey Nijem, right (James Law/HeavyMMA)

Lightweights booked for June 22 show in Atlantic City

A bout between a pair of up-and-coming lightweights has been booked for the UFC’s return to Atlantic City, N.J.

Ramsey Nijem and promotional newcomer CJ Keith have agreed to fight at UFC on FX: Maynard vs. Guida, which takes place June 22, likely at the new Revel resort, which is scheduled to open a month before the UFC comes to town. UFC officials announced the fight booking this week for the event, which gets a main card broadcast on the FX cable network for what will be the fourth time.

Nijem (5-2, 1-1 UFC), a welterweight finalist on Season 13 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” picked up his first UFC win in October. He dropped back to lightweight and beat Danny Downes by unanimous decision at UFC 137 in Las Vegas. Last June, Nijem reached the TUF 13 finals, but lost by first-round knockout to Tony Ferguson. Nijem was scheduled to face Danny Castillo at UFC 141 in December, but an injury force him off the card. As such, the fight against Keith will be Nijem’s first bout in eight months.

Keith (8-0) will make his UFC debut on the strength of an undefeated start to his career with five stoppages in his eight fights – including three straight knockout victories. Keith was booked for a fight against Anton Kuivanen at February’s UFC on Fuel TV event in Omaha, Neb., but pulled out of the fightwhen his father lost his house in a fire. The 25-year-old Californian has competed exclusively in his home state so far in his career.

The main event for UFC on FX 4 will be a lightweight contenders bout between two-time title challenger Gray Maynard and Clay Guida. UFC on FX 4 will be the UFC’s first show in Atlantic City since UFC 53 in June 2005 and seventh there overall. The first three took place at the Trump Taj Mahal, followed by three at the Boardwalk Hall.