UFC 212 upset (and Performance Bonus) winner Brian Kelleher made a huge splash in his UFC debut last weekend. Now, he’s got something to look forward to: a fight with Marlon Vera at UFC on Fox 25. The bout will be much closer to home, in the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island. Newsday was the first to break the news earlier today.
Kelleher was a feelgood story coming out of UFC 212 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Making his UFC debut, he quickly stopped 13th ranked Iuri Alcantara, briefly silencing the Brazilian crowd before they let their displeasure be known (he’d later shush them for their efforts). After the bout, he called on Dana White to award him a performance bonus, a wish that was later granted. He also asked that he be fed to the sharks.
It’s crazy to think that, just a few months before, Kelleher was trying to win tickets to UFC 205 from Ariel Helwani.
Kelleher (17-7) may not be getting a Great White in Vera, but he is getting a shark that surprised many by upsetting Brad Pickett in the bantamweight legend’s final bout. Vera (9–3–1) scored a comeback third round TKO for the upset win over “One Punch” at UFC Fight Night 107.
Pairing him up with Vera should let us know where at least one of these prospects stand in the bantamweight division.
UFC on Fox 25 takes place July 22 in Uniondale, NY. The main event is expected to feature former middleweight champion Chris Weidman taking on Ultimate Fighter 17 winner Kelvin Gastelum.
