Poirier vs. Johnson, Brunson vs. Hall headline UFC card in Hidalgo
The main and co-main events for the UFC's first ever trip to Hidalgo, Texas, are now set as lightweights Dustin Poirier and Michael Johnson will face off in the five-round headline bout while Derek Brunson and Uriah Hall will meet in a middleweight showdown on the Sept. 17 card.
UFC officials confirmed both fights with FOX Sports on Monday. The card will air live on FS1.
Poirier will look for another big win to add to his growing resume since moving to the lightweight division with four straight victories, including three by knockout or TKO.
Most recently, Poirier dispatched Bobby Green in impressive fashion with a vicious first-round knockout at UFC 199, and now he'll look for his fifth win in a row when he returns in September.
Johnson will attempt to steal the spotlight from Poirier after suffering tough back-to-back losses in his most recent fights.
Johnson fell victim to a very close, controversial decision loss to Beneil Dariush last August before suffering a unanimous decision defeat to Nate Diaz in December. Now the veteran lightweight will look to get back on track as he faces Poirier in a five-round bout in Texas.
The co-main event will feature a bad blood rivalry between Brunson and Hall, who have been beefing with each other for months on social media.
Brunson was recently forced out of his UFC 200 bout with Gegard Mousasi due to an eyesight problem stemming from corrective surgery he had a few years ago. Now he is back to full health and looking for another big win as he climbs the ranks at 185 pounds.
Standing in his way is the former "Ultimate Fighter" finalist, who has gone 2-1 over his past three fights -- including a stunning knockout over Mousasi last September.
