UFC Fight Night 45 in Atlantic City is already headlined by a blistering lightweight match-up between Donald Cerrone and Jim Miller, but UFC officials on Monday added another exciting 155-pound bout to the fight card.
Gleison Tibau and Pat Healy have verbally agreed to fight at the July 16 event, which is slated to air on Fox Sports 1.
Tibau (28-10) is coming off of a loss to The Ultimate Fighter 12 runner-up Michael Johnson at UFC 168 to close out 2013. Prior to that loss, the Brazilian had strung together back-to-back victories over John Cholish and Jamie Varner.
Although he’s been fighting in the Octagon for nearly eight years, Tibau has struggled to string together enough successes to get into title contention. He’s hoping to start anew with Healy on July 16.
Healy (29-19, 1 NC), however, could be fighting for his spot on the UFC roster, as he has yet to win in the Octagon in four bouts. He initially submitted Jim Miller at UFC 159, but the result of the bout was changed to a no contest after Healy tested positive for marijuana following the fight.
The Miller fight was Healy’s UFC debut. He has since dropped three consecutive unanimous decisions to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Bobby Green, and Jorge Masvidal. In short, he needs a win and he needs it bad.
UFC Fight Night: Cerrone vs. Miller takes place at the Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J.