UFC on Fox 8 Gets Reza Madadi-Michael Chiesa Lightweight Bout

UFC on Fox 8 takes place at Key Arena in Seattle and will showcase an important welterweight contest pitting Rory MacDonald against Jake Ellenberger. Fox will broadcast the main card, including a 170-pound affair featuring veteran Robbie Lawler and former Strikeforce champion Tarec Saffiedine. The evening’s preliminary card airs immediately prior on Facebook and FX.

Madadi, 32, has won eight of his last nine fights. The Iranian-born Swede made his UFC debut one year ago at UFC on Fuel TV 2, submitting then-unbeaten Floridian prospect Yoislandy Izquierdo with a second-round guillotine choke. Though a split decision loss to Cristiano Marcello would follow for “Mad Dog” to close out last year, Madadi responded to the setback with a brabo choke submission of Michael Johnson two weeks ago at UFC on Fuel TV 9.

Unbeaten in nine professional outings, Chiesa, 25, introduced himself to UFC fans as a member of “The Ultimate Fighter 15,” capturing the reality show title with first-round submission of Al Iaquinta last June. “Maverick” most recently competed on Feb. 23, when he submitted Finnish talent Anton Kuivanen with a rear-naked choke at UFC 157.