Mike Massenzio (UFC/Zuffa)
Vemola drops to middleweight for May bout
UFC light heavyweight prospect Karlos Vemola is dropping down to the middleweight mark and will meet Mike Massenzio at UFC on Fox 3 in May.
UFC officials confirmed the bout on Thursday.
Vemola began his UFC career as a heavyweight, losing to “Ultimate Fighter” veteran Jon Madsen in his UFC debut. Following the loss, Vemola dropped to the 205-pound mark and defeated Seth Petruzelli at UFC 122, only to come up short on the judges’ scorecards in his next bout, a three-round contest against Ronny Markes last August.
Losing twice in three contests prompted Vemola to make the drop down to the 185-pound mark.
Meanwhile, Massenzio debuted in the UFC in September 2008, earning a submission victory over UFC veteran Drew McFedries. But he would go on to lose four of his next six fights, including his most recent matchup, which came against Rousimar Palhares at UFC 142 and ended with yet another heel hook submission from the Brazilian.
The two middleweights will meet at UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller on May 5 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. The card’s main event pits lightweight contenders Nate Diaz and Jim Miller against each other in a five-round tilt that could very well determine the next 155-pound top contender.
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Karlos Vemola Meets Mike Massenzio at UFC on Fox 3