Chris Tuchscherer set to make UFC debut against Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 102

Gabriel Gonzaga will be looking to bounce back from his loss to Shane Carwin when he takes on Chris Tuchscherer at UFC 102 in August.

Fighter’s Only reported on the match-up yesterday between the inconsistent Brazilian and Tuchscherer who trains along with Brock Lesnar at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy.

Gonzaga went in to the fight with Carwin knowing if he were to defeat the unbeaten wrestler that he may very well be lining himself up for another crack at the UFC heavyweight championship. The only thing he cracked was Carwin’s nose as he started the fight aggressive and in control only to be knocked out in just over a minute. Gonzaga has been up and down throughout his UFC career. He made huge waves when he knocked out Cro-Cop with a vicious leg kick at UFC 70. That victory earned him a shot at Randy Couture and his championship. Couture completely broke Gonzaga’s will and won via third round TKO. Gonzaga then lost to fellow Fabricio Werdum but rebounded with two consecutive victories over Justin McCully and Josh Hendricks.

Tuchscherer is an impressive 17-1 with seven wins coming by TKO and six by submission. He is listed as 6’1” and 265lbs and holds victories over Brandon Lee Hinkle and UFC light heavyweight Krzysztof Soszynski back in 2004. His only loss was to Travis Wuiff at the YAMMA Pit Fighting tournament that was held in Atlantic City in April of 2008. Gonzaga represents a huge step up in competition for the North Dakota native.

UFC 102 will be held in Portland, Oregon on August 29th and will be headlined by two former UFC heavyweight champions trying to rebound from a loss as Randy Couture takes on Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera. Also on the card will be a battle that may determine the number one contender for Anderson Silva’s middleweight championship as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu wizard and undefeated Damian Maia takes on Nate Marquardt. Other bouts scheduled are Keith Jardine vs. Thiago Silva, Matt Hammil vs. Brandon Vera, Chris Leben who will be king his return from his steroid suspension as he takes on Jake Rosholt.