'Groovy' Lando Vannata set to meet David Teymur at UFC 209 in Las Vegas

The UFC’s first 2017 pay-per-view in its Las Vegas home base is starting to build with the addition of a lightweight fight.

Fresh off a bonus-winning “Knockout of the Year” candidate, Lando Vannata (9-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) is set to take on David Teymur (5-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) at UFC 209 in March. UFC officials announced the new booking today.

UFC 209 takes place March 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card will air on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass. A heavyweight fight between Mark Hunt and Alistair Overeem is the only other fight set for the card so far.

David Teymur

UFC 209 will be the promotion’s second of back-to-back cards at T-Mobile Arena. UFC Fight Night 106 is set for the night before, a Friday. That card does not yet have any bouts booked.

Vannata made a short-notice promotional debut against top contender Tony Ferguson at UFC Fight Night 91 in July, but despite a “Fight of the Night” war, he ultimately succumbed to a D’Arce choke midway through the second round.

But at UFC 206 earlier less than three weeks ago, he returned and knocked out Canada’s John Makdessi in front of his home-country fans. His perfectly placed spinning wheel kick was a “Performance of the Night” bonus winner and will be on virtually everyone’s list of the best highlight-reel KOs of 2016.

Teymur lost his pro debut a little more than three years ago, but has been perfect since then. The 27-year-old Swede has won five straight, including four by knockout. His two UFC fights in 2016 resulted in a second-round TKO of Martin Svensson at UFC Fight Night 84 and a second-round knockout of Jason Novelli at UFC Fight Night 92 in Salt Lake City in August.

For more on UFC 209, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.