Mike Pierce vs. David Mitchell targeted for UFC 162

A welterweight bout between Mike Pierce (16-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) and David Mitchell (12-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) is the latest fight targeted for July’s UFC 162 event.

Sources close to the event confirmed the planned matchup with MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

UFC 162 takes place July 6 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

It’s not clear where Pierce vs. Mitchell will be situated on the lineup.

Pierce recently joined MMAjunkie.com Radio and campaigned for fights with either Jake Ellenberger or Robbie Lawler. Both, though, ended up getting other matchups, and so, too, has Pierce.

The 32-year-old wrestler is riding a three-fight win streak with victories over Carlos Eduardo Rocha, Aaron Simpson and Seth Baczynski. In fact, Pierce, who’s ranked No. 12 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie.com MMA welterweight rankings, is 4-1 over his past five fights, and the lone defeat came via split decision to perennial contender Josh Koscheck.

Mitchell, a veteran of the Tachi Palace Fights promotion, made his UFC debut in 2010 but then suffered back-to-back losses to T.J. Waldburger and Paulo Thiago. However, the California-based fighter, who’s fought sporadically due to injuries and late scratches, likely saved his job and got back in the win column with a decision victory over Simeon Thoresen in January.

The latest UFC 162 card includes:

• Champ Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman – for middleweight title
• Chan Sung Jung vs. Ricardo Lamas
• Tim Boetsch vs. Mark Munoz
• Frankie Edgar vs. Charles Oliveira
• Dennis Siver vs. Cub Swanson
• Roger Gracie vs. Tim Kennedy
• Andrew Craig vs. Chris Leben
• David Mitchell vs. Mike Pierce*
• Seth Baczynski vs. Brian Melancon
• Shane Del Rosario vs. Dave Herman

* – Not officially announced

For the latest on UFC 162, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Mike Pierce)