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Two light-heavyweights coming off of knockout losses look to return to the win column in Chicago, as Ryan Bader (14-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) faces the veteran Vladimir Matyushenko (29-6 MMA, 7-4 UFC). Via ESPN:
A light heavyweight bout between Ryan Bader and Vladimir Matyushenko has been targeted for next month's UFC on Fox event in Chicago.
Sources have confirmed to ESPN.com that the bout has been targeted for the Jan. 26 card, set to take place at the United Center.
Bader is a TUF season 8 champion who was nearing title contention until Jon Jones submitted him at UFC 126. Then he suffered a huge upset by losing to Tito Ortiz at UFC 132. He won his next two fights against Jason Brilz and Quinton Jackson, but in August he essentially ran right into Lyoto Machida's fist at UFC on FOX 4 and was knocked out for the first time in his career.
Matyushenko had also won two straight over Alexandre Ferreira and Jason Brilz, but was stopped by Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 141. He was scheduled to face Matt Hamill at UFC 152 but tore his achilles tendon.
Amazingly, Bader and Matyushenko share 4 common opponents - Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Jason Brilz, Tito Ortiz, and Jon Jones.
UFC on FOX 6 is set for Chicago on January 26th, 2013 and is headlined by a flyweight title fight between champion Demetrious Johnson and challenger John Dodson. Bader and Matyushenko will be a part of the prelims.
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