UFC Fight Card Updates Continue with Two More Bouts at Battle on the Bayou

As the UFC plans out the remaining events for 2011, the hits just keep on coming. UFC matchmaker Joe Silva has been working overtime lately, signing fights at a blistering pace.

UFC president Dana White on Wednesday announced another intriguing matchup for September’s “Battle on the Bayou” fight card in New Orleans.

“It will be a submission showdown as verbal agreements are in for a fight between lightweight grappling specialists Vagner Rocha and Cody McKenzie in New Orleans on September 17,” UFC president Dana White announced on Wednesday, following up the addition of a welterweight match-up pitting Clay Harvison against DaMarques Johnson.

Rocha (6-2) enters the bout with McKenzie coming off of a loss to Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at his Octagon debut at UFC 131 in June. McKenzie (12-1) suffered the first defeat of his career at UFC Fight for the Troops 2 in January. Yves Edwards choked him out, breaking McKenzie’s streak of 10 consecutive guillotine-choke victories.

In a battle of TUF alumni, Harvison (9-3) is fresh off a split decision victory on “The Ultimate Fighter 13 Finale” in June. He faces Johnson (12-9), whose UFC experience began with a stint on the ninth season of TUF. Johnson has a little extra motivation for this fight after faltering against Amir Sadollah in March.

Another welterweight showdown, between Jake Shields and Jake Ellenberger, headlines the UFC Fight Night 25 fight card at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center on Sept. 17 in New Orleans.