Hatsu Hioki Debuts at UFC 137 and Faces George Roop in a Featherweight Match-Up

Hatsu Hioki

Former Sengoku and Shooto fighter Hatsu Hioki will make his Octagon debut in October as he faces George Roop at UFC 137 in Las Vegas.

UFC officials announced the new bout on Saturday.

Hatsu Hioki (24-4-2) was one of the last remaining top ten featherweights not in the UFC, but that isn’t the case any longer.

Signing on for a multi fight deal in June, Hioki will make his official UFC debut in late October, hoping to duplicate the same level of success he had in Japan.

Hioki has won his last four fights in a row and is currently ranked No. 3 in the MMAWeekly World MMA Rankings.

Hoping to spoil Hioki’s first UFC appearance will be former ‘Ultimate Fighter’ George Roop (12-7-1).

Roop has gone 2-1-1 in his last four fights, but definitely faced some stiff competition during that time, including his last victory when he pummeled former title contender Josh Grispi at the TUF 13 finale show.

The 6’1? featherweight will look to do the same to Hioki when they meet in October.

While the UFC did announce the fight, they did not state whether or not the fight would make the televised broadcast or be on the preliminary card.