A light heavyweight showdown is the headline bout of Absolute Championship Berkut’s debut on American soil this weekend.
Thiago Silva will meet Jared Torgeson in the main event of ACB 51 which takes at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California.
Silva (18-5) has cut quite the controversial figure in recent times which resulted in the Brazilian being cut from the UFC shortly after he defeated Matt Hamill at UFC Fight Night 29 in October 2015.
Following his release the 34-year old would go on a 2-fight skid, which included a shock 1st round defeat to Teddy Holder at WSOF 19 and a loss to Marcus Sursa.
The Blackzilians trained fighter would then bounce back in 2016 by scoring back-to-back victories over Stav Economou and most recently Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou last November.
Torgeson (19-15) who normally competes at Middleweight is currently riding a 3-fight winning streak which has seen him defeat Mitch Whitesel, Tony Lopez and Brent Knopp on the American circuit.
When the 30-year old who trains out of the Irish Hit Squad gym in Moses Lake, Washington enters the ACB cage the opponent he faces will surly be the toughest of his career to date.
In the co-main event Paul Buentello (35-17) will make his return to the ACB cage looking to avenge a 1st round KO loss to Denis Goltsov at ACB 41 last July.
His opponent Tim Hague (21-13) will look to do the same after he was also a victim of a KO loss to Michal Andryszak at the same event.
ACB 51 takes place on Friday, January 13 2017 at the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California. Catch the live stream here MMA Plus from 3am GMT will be on hand to bring all the results and news from the event.
Absolute Championship Berkut 51 Fight Card
Thiago Silva vs. Jared Torgeson
Paul Buentello vs. Tim Hague
Luis Palomino vs. Musa Khamanaev
Christos Giagos vs. Alexandre Pimentel
Rodney Wallace vs. Shamil Gamzatov
Pat Healy vs. Leandro Silva
Jesse Taylor vs. Guillermo Martinez
Darren Mima vs. Danny Martinez
Corey Alexander vs. Isaac Pimentel
Kyle Reyes vs. Dominic Mazzotta
Nolan Ticman vs. Saul Elizondo
Dave Courchaine vs. Arthur Estrazulas
Terrion Ware vs. Nick Mamalis