Michihiro Omigawa will look for his first UFC victory on Nov. 5. | Photo: Taro Irei
A protégé of 1992 Olympic gold medalist Hidehiko Yoshida, Omigawa (12-10-1, 0-4 UFC) has yet to taste victory in four appearances inside the Octagon. The 35-year-old judo black belt last appeared at UFC 131 in June, when he dropped a controversial unanimous decision to Darren Elkins at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A finalist in the 2009 Sengoku Raiden Championship featherweight grand prix, Omigawa owns notable victories over reigning featherweight King of Pancrase Marlon Sandro, the world-ranked Hatsu Hioki, current Dream featherweight titleholder Hiroyuki Takaya and former WEC champion Cole Escovedo. Fifteen of his 23 professional fights have reached the judges.
Young (8-4, 0-1 UFC) made his promotional debut at UFC 131, losing a unanimous decision to the surging Dustin Poirier. The 25-year-old Lewisham, England, native has never suffered consecutive defeats. A former Cage Rage lightweight champion, Young trains out of the Team Titan camp. He has proven vulnerable on the ground throughout his 12-fight career, as three of his four losses have come via submission.
A five-round middleweight showdown pairing Chris Leben with Mark Munoz will headline UFC 138, which marks the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s 2011 debut in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, American Top Team’s Brad Pickett will lock horns with fellow bantamweight Renan “Barao” do Nascimento Mota Pegado in the co-main event. Barao, 24, is unbeaten in his last 27 appearances.
Chris
Leben vs. Mark
Munoz
Brad
Pickett vs.
Renan “Barao” do Nascimento Mota Pegado
Thiago
Alves vs. Papy
Abedi
Terry
Etim vs. Eddie
Faaloloto
Paul
Taylor vs. Anthony
Njokuani
Cyrille
Diabate vs. Anthony
Perosh
John
Maguire vs. Justin
Edwards
Michihiro
Omigawa vs. Jason
Young
Rob
Broughton vs. Philip De
Fries
Chris
Cope vs. Che Mills
Chris
Cariaso vs. Vaughan Lee