Bermudez vs. Lentz, Chiesa vs. Smith added to UFC's 'Fight for the Troops 3'

The UFC’s next “Fight for the Troops” card is filling quickly, and Dennis Bermudez (11-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) vs. Nik Lentz (24-5-2 MMA, 8-2-1 UFC) and Michael Chiesa (9-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) vs. Colton Smith (3-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) are the latest additions to the lineup.

UFC officials today announced the new contests for “UFC Fight Night 31: UFC Fight for the Troops 3,” which takes place Nov. 6 at Kentucky’s Fort Campbell. Lyoto Machida drops to 185 pounds to face Tim Kennedy in the night’s headliner.

Featherweight Bermudez was a finalist on “The Ultimate Fighter 14,” though he came up short against Diego Brandao. However, Bermudez is unbeaten since, rattling off four straight wins in a run that includes both a “Fight of the Night” and “Submission of the Night” bonus.

Meanwhile, Lentz boasts a three-fight win streak after scoring victories over Hacran Dias, Diego Nunes and Eiji Mitsuoka. Currently ranked No. 13 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com featherweight MMA rankings. Lentz is undefeated as a featherweight after competing as a lightweight in his first nine UFC contests.

The Chiesa vs. Smith matchup sees a battle of former “The Ultimate Fighter” winners.

Chiesa was the “TUF 15? victor, upsetting Al Iaquinta in the season’s live finale. He followed that up with a win over Anton Kuivanen before suffering his first career defeat in a July bout with Jorge Masivdal.

Meanwhile, Smith, an active Army Ranger, was the winner of “The Ultimate Fighter 16,” upsetting a favored Mike Ricci while competing as a welterweight. He then lost his follow-up bout, suffering a TKO defeat to Robert Whittaker at May’s UFC 160 event. Smith now drops to 155 pounds for the first time.

With the additions to the card, the UFC Fight Night 31 lineup now includes:

• Tim Kennedy vs. Lyoto Machida
• Rustam Khabilov vs. Jorge Masvidal
• Seth Baczynski vs. Neil Magny
• Ronny Markes vs. Yoel Romero
• Chris Camozzi vs. Lorenz Larkin
• Francisco Rivera vs. George Roop
• Dennis Bermudez vs. Nik Lentz
• Michael Chiesa vs. Colton Smith

For more on “UFC Fight Night 31: UFC Fight for the Troops 3,” check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Dennis Bermudez)