A bantamweight division clash has been added to UFC 233 as #2 Dominick Cruz is going to be in action against #6 John Lineker. Combate first reported the news over a month ago.
Cruz (22-2-0) is returning to action for the first time in over two years, with his last bout being a decision loss to former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207. Cruz is a former two time UFC Bantamweight Champion, defeating TJ Dillashaw to start the second reign, while the first reign became official when the WEC merged with the UFC. Cruz has seen his last three fights go the distance and it has been over four years since the fighter got a finish.
Lineker (31-8-0) enters the contest on the strength of a two fight winning streak, having defeated the duo of Brian Kelleher and Marlon Vera. Lineker hasn?t suffered a defeat in nearly two years, with that last loss coming to UFC Bantamweight Champion TJ Dillashaw at UFC 207. Lineker has suffered eight losses as a professional MMA fighter, with five of those coming by way of decision.
UFC 233 takes place on Saturday, January 26 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California with no main event made official at this time. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
Note: This article was published on November 7, and updated to reflect the confirmation of the fight.