UFC Newcomers Ryan Benoit and Josh Sampo Square Off at TUF 18 Finale

The UFC welcomes newcomers Ryan Benoit and Josh Sampo to the Octagon at The Ultimate Fighter 18 Finale on Nov. 30.

UFC officials announced the bout on Wednesday.

Benoit (7-2) makes his way to the Octagon from Legacy Fighting Championship, where he has won all four of his bouts. Out of his seven overall victories, Benoit has knocked out six of his opponents; the other win was a submission finish.

Sampo (10-2) is fresh off of a defense of his CFA flyweight championship, which put his current victorious streak at four consecutive fights. Like Benoit, Sampo has spent time with Legacy Fighting Championship, and after defending his belt, knew he was ready to take a step up.

“I want to go to a big show and fight the toughest names out there,” Sampo told MMAWeekly.com after his recent title defense. “Ultimately some of those higher names; higher ranked guys won’t fight me. We’ve had that issue before, and it seems like that may be the case again.

“We definitely want to make it to the UFC, but I look at it like a job promotion. I’ve got to work hard, be recognized and have them make that decision to bring me up.”

Sampo and Benoit have both been recognized and will be now making their way to the brightest lights in the sport.

A lightweight bout between Gray Maynard and Nate Diaz headlines the TUF 18 Finale on Nov. 30 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

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