Manager: Yahya to Tackle ‘The Korean Zombie’ at UFN 23

Rani Yahya: Jeff Sherwood | Sherdog.com

Former World Extreme Cagefighting bantamweight title contender Rani Yahya will face Chan Sung Jung at UFC “Fight for the Troops 2” at Fort Hood on Jan. 22 in Killeen, Texas, his manager, Wallid Ismail confirmed.

“Rani is really excited for his first fight in the UFC,” Ismail told Radio PVT, Portal do Vale Tudo’s weekly radio show. “It’ll be a great fight, and everything that Rani needs to bring new motivation to his career.”

A three-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion and 2007 Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships winner, Yahya has secured 14 of his 15 career mixed martial arts victories by submission. He will enter his matchup with Jung on a two-fight losing streak, having lost a unanimous decision to the world-ranked Takeya Mizugaki at WEC 48 in April. Wins over Mark Hominick, Yoshiro Maeda and Eddie Wineland anchor the 26-year-old Brazilian’s resume.

Jung has lost three of his last four fights, including his brutal knockout loss to UFC veteran George Roop at WEC 51 in September. The 23-year-old Korean Top Team representative holds a 2008 decision victory against the world-ranked Michihiro Omigawa.

Ismail also confirmed that Jungle Fight grand prix winner Yuri Alcantara will meet Ricardo Lamas at WEC 53 “Henderson vs. Pettis” on Dec. 16 at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona. In addition, he claimed that Jungle Fight welterweight champion Erick Silva was close to signing with the UFC.

“I’m coming to talk to [UFC matchmaker] Joe Silva soon about Erick Silva,” Ismail said, “and I can assure you he is really close to signing with the UFC.”