Dustin Hazelett vs Ben Saunders at UFC 96

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The onslaught of new fight news continues this evening as Sherdog has word of a welterweight bout for UFC 96 featuring Dustin "McLovin" Hazelett and Ben "Killa B" Saunders:

Barring any last-minute glitches, fast-rising welterweight prospect Dustin Hazelett will lock horns with unbeaten Ben Saunders at UFC 96 on March 7 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Bout agreements have been issued and are expected to be signed sometime this week, according to a source close to the negotiations.

Doing his best to be the American version of Shinya Aoki, Hazelett (12-4, 5-2 UFC) has seen his stock rapidly rise up the UFC welterweight ranks recently. He's won two consecutive submission-of-the-night bonuses in wins over Josh Burkman and Tamdan McCrory in June and November respectively, and has proven to have one of the best submission games in the UFC at 170, despite being only 22 years old. Hazelett will be fighting in front of a hometown crowd in Columbus, as he trains with Team Jorge Gurgel in Cincinnati.

Saunders (7-0-2, 3-0 UFC), a product of TUF season 6, trains with American Top Team but recently unleashed a brutal muay Thai clinic on Brandon Wolff at UFC Fights for the Troops in December; getting the first round TKO after an endless barrage of knees. Saunders has also proven to be a credible submission threat with his huge frame.

Saunders may not be able to match the submission skills of Hazelett, but he certainly is more than adequate on the ground, while Hazelett better be working his standup big-time after Saunders's performance in December.