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We have ourselves a pair of new fights headed for the UFC's return to Dallas this March. While the top of the card is centered heavily around the welterweight division, these two bouts are in the smaller weight classes. First up is a featherweight showdown between Jim Hettes and Dennis Bermudez:
Two exciting featherweight prospects battle it out at UFC 171: @jimhettes takes on Dennis @MenaceBermudez March 15th in Dallas.
— UFC News (@UFCNews) January 7, 2014
Bermudez (12-3) has won 5 in a row since losing the TUF 14 finale against Diego Brandao by dramatic 1st round armbar. His 2013 consisted of an incredible war with Matt Grice, a somewhat contestable split decision against Max Holloway, and an impressive performance against Steven Siler.
Hettes (11-1) was on the rise at 145 lbs following a submission win over Alex Caceres and a bludgeoning of Nam Phan. Following an upset loss to Marcus Brimage, Hettes saw much of his 2013 lost due to injury, but his sole fight of the year was a submission win over Robert Whiteford at UFC Fight Night 30 in London.
Also on the card is a women's bantamweight clash between TUF 18 winner Julianna Pena and Brazil's Jessica Andrade:
TUF 18 winner @VenezuelanVixen will meet @JessicaMMApro at UFC 171 on March 15 http://t.co/BeSa6k8SlG
— The Ultimate Fighter (@UltimateFighter) January 7, 2014
Pena (5-2) tore through the TUF field and won the women's 135 tournament with a 1st round TKO against Jessica Rakoczy in the November finale. The win snapped the two fight losing streak on her professional record, although neither of her defeats came at bantamweight.
Andrade (10-3) is one of the youngest fighters in the UFC at just 22. Her path to the Octagon was paved when Miesha Tate was removed from her July fight against Liz Carmouche to coach TUF 18 and fight Ronda Rousey for the title at UFC 168. Andrade replaced Tate on the Fox main card bout, but was TKO'd via ground-and-pound in the 2nd round. She took apart Rosi Sexton with a barrage of powerful strikes in October to get her first UFC win.
It's expected that both of these fights air on the preliminary card, likely on Fox Sports 1 and not UFC Fight Pass. UFC 171 is headlined by a welterweight title fight between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler.
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