Cantwell vs. Diabate Scheduled For UFC on Versus 3

A light heavyweight bout between Cyrille Diabate and Steve Cantwell is in the works for “UFC on Versus 3.”

ESPN.com first reported the match up.

Cantwell, the former WEC light heavyweight champion, did not fight at all throughout 2010 due to continuous struggles with injuries. He was forced off of UFC 120 earlier this fall less than two days before the event with a knee injury and, before that, was forced to pull out of his bout with Vladimir Matyushenko at UFC 108.

In his last outing, Cantwell faced off against Brian Stann, losing via unanimous decision. The two had fought twice before that, but Stann took the best of three series with two wins to Cantwell’s one. His last win, a technical submission over Razak Al-Hassan at “UFC Fight for the Troops” came over two years ago.

Diabate, meanwhile, fought twice in 2010, including his UFC debut comeback victory over Luiz Cane at UFC 114. However, the kickboxer could do little to stop the fast-rising Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 120 this past October, losing via submission after taking quite the beating.

“UFC on Versus 3” is expected to serve as the UFC’s first event in Kentucky, and Louisville’s KFC Yum! Center will likely be the venue on March 3. Though the promotion has yet to finalize any fights, Martin Kampmann and Diego Sanchez will likely meet in the main event of the evening. The entire main card will be broadcast live on Versus.

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