Local boys in the UFC (UPDATE)

January 6, 2009

Nobody is looking past the BJ Penn/GSP fight, but a couple of local fighters have UFC fights set up down the road.

MMAWeekly is reporting that Hilo’s Shane Nelson (12-3) will face Aaron Riley (27-10-1) in a lightweight matchup at UFC 96 in Ohio. Riley is 1-2 in the UFC, including a decision loss to Robbie Lawler over six years ago. His last UFC fight was a unanimous decision victory over Jorge Gurgel. Nelson is coming off his split-decision win over George Roop last month.

On the same card, Maui’s Kendall Grove (11-5), coming off a win over the late Evan Tanner last June, will fight Canadian Jason Day (17-6), who is 1-1 in the UFC, most recently losing by TKO to Michael Bisping.

UPDATE: Hilo’s Troy Mandaloniz (3-1) is back for his second foray into the Octagon when he faces Paul Kelly (8-1) at UFC 95 Feb. 21 in England. Kelly is 1-1 in the UFC and coming off his first professional loss, a second round submission to Marcus Davis. Mandaloniz won his only other UFC fight, defeating Richie Hightower by TKO in the first round on the Ultimate Fighter finale show in Dec. of 2007.

And don’t forget the January 14 debut on SpikeTV of UFC Primetime: Countdown to Penn/St. Pierre II. The multi-part series will document both fighters as they prepare for the showdown of champions Jan. 31 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Posted in Fights