The UFC continues to build flyweight contenders, as the surging Ben Nguyen will return at UFC 221 next year.
South Dakota’s Ben Nguyen, who shocked many in the MMA world when he upset former title challenger Tim Elliot at UFC Fight Night 110 in June, will return next year at UFC 221. There, he’ll take on Jussier Formiga in a bout that could propel either man considerably closer to a shot at division Kingpin Demetrious Johnson. Nguyen confirmed the news via his official Twitter account on Friday following an initial report from The West’s Liam Croy.
Official art is out. 🙌🏼 @ufc pic.twitter.com/ue7ZzMViLt
— Ben 10 Nguyen (@Ben10MMA) November 11, 2017
Nguyen (18–6) is 4-1 in his MMA career, and will head into UFC 221 in Perth, Australia on a two-fight win streak. With victories over the aforementioned Elliot and Geane Herrera, Nguyen told The West that he intends to call out champion Mighty Mouse Johnson should be be victorious against Formiga.
Brazil’s Jussier Formiga, meanwhile, has long circled the title picture, but come up short when it mattered. Formiga (20–5) has four losses in the UFC to six wins. Those losses each came to a flyweight title challenger: John Dodson, Joseph Benavidez, Henry Cejudo, and Ray Borg. Formiga also, however, has wins over two other title challengers, Wilson Reis and Chris Cariaso. Most recently, he picked up a win over Japan’s Ulka Sasaki at UFC Fight Night 117 in Saitama, Japan.
UFC 221 takes place in Perth, Australia on February 11 at the Perth Arena. No main event has been announced for the card, though interim middleweight champion Robert Whittaker has been linked to the event.
