John Phillips (21-6 MMA) is the latest fighter from Ireland’s Straight Blast Gym (SBG) to sign for the UFC and is set to make his debut as he is added to the UFC on Fox 23 card on January 28 at Pepsi Center in Denver according to a report from Brazilian outlet Combate.
The Welsh Middleweight is slated to face off against Marcos Pezão (14-4-1 MMA, 3-2 UFC) who came through The Ultimate Fighter in 2014 and holds a record of 3-2 under the promotional banner. Phillips moved to SBG – the home gym of UFC Lightweight champion Conor McGregor and Artem Lobov – last year and later went on to be crowned BAMMA Middleweight champion when he secured a first round knockout victory over Cheick Kone.
‘The White Mike Tyson’ was scheduled to defend his middleweight title for the first time against Andy DeVent at BAMMA 26 but after missing weight by 13lbs he was subsequently stripped of his title.
Philips’ 21 career victories have come by stoppage with 18 knockouts and three submissions. He will look to make his mark in the organisation with a win and is set to become only the third Welsh fighter to compete in the UFC behind Brett Johns and Jack Marshamn who both made successful debuts in Belfast last month.
