Efrain Escudero vs. Leandro Silva slated for UFC Fight Night 79 in Mexico

Efrain Escudero

A lightweight bout between “The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2? coach Efrain Escudero (24-9 MMA, 5-5 UFC) and Leandro Silva (18-2-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) is slated for UFC Fight Night 79 in Mexico.

UFC officials today announced the fight.

UFC Fight Night 79 takes place Nov. 21 at Monterrey Arena in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The card is expected to air on FOX Sports 1 following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.

Escudero was the first Mexican “TUF” champion, and following his recent return to the organization, he was recently picked to coach opposite friend Kelvin Gastelum on “TUF: Latin America 2.” With no coach-vs.-coach fight to end the show, which concludes at UFC Fight Night 79, Escudero instead fights Silva.

Escudero returned to the UFC in September – his third UFC stint – and suffered a decision loss to Leonardo Santos. However, the 29-year-old has since rebounded with a decision victory over Rodrigo de Lima and a submission win over Drew Dober. He’s now 3-1 over his past four fights and 6-2 overall since a 0-4 run from 2011-2013.

He now fights Silva, a 29-year-old Brazilian who joined the UFC in 2014. He’s fought three times since his UFC-debut loss to Francisco Trinaldo and is 2-0, with wins over Charlie Brennaman and Lewis Gonzalez, as well as a no-contest with Drew Dober (Silva’s submission win was overturned when the local commission deemed it was the result of a referee error).

The latest UFC Fight Night 79 card includes:

• Matt Brown vs. Kelvin Gastelum
• Efrain Escudero vs. Leandro Silva
• TBA vs. TBA – “TUF: Latin America 2? lightweight final
• TBA vs. TBA – “TUF: Latin America 2? welterweight final

For more on UFC Fight Night 79, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.