UFC 133 Fight Card: Ivan Menjivar Steps Up to Face Nick Pace

Ivan Menjivar at UFC 129

The Ultimate Fighting Championship on Thursday night announced a bantamweight match-up between Ivan Menjivar and Nick Pace for its return to Philadelphia.

“Bantamweights Ivan Menjivar and Nick Pace have agreed to fight each other Aug. 6 at UFC 133 in Philadelphia,” said UFC president Dana White. “Menjivar is coming off a devastating elbow knockout win and Pace utilized a rarely seen type of submission to secure the victory in his last outing.”

Menjivar (22-8) made his Octagon debut UFC 129 in Toronto, where he laid Charlie Valencia out with a short elbow that broke his nose a minute-and-a-half into the opening round. It was a positive turn of events for Menjivar after losing a decision to Brad Pickett in his first fight under the Zuffa banner at WEC 53.

Pace (6-1) is at a deficit in the experience department against Menjivar, but he is also riding high after his UFC debut. Pace submitted Will Campuzano at “The Ultimate Fighter: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck” finale in December with a Pillory choke. The submission is similar in nature to a triangle choke, but utilizes an arm and leg of the fighter applying the hold to form a triangular constriction.

Pace was originally slated to face Michael McDonald at UFC 133. McDonald, however, was called upon to replace Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto at next week’s UFC 130 in Las Vegas.

A light heavyweight feature bout between former champion Rashad Evans and Phil Davis is currently slotted in as the UFC 133 main event on Aug. 6 in Philadelphia.