UFC signs Deron Winn following victory over Tom Lawlor on Liddell vs. Ortiz 3 card

Less than a month ago, American Kickboxing Academy prospect and former college wrestling standout Deron Winn was the co-main event to Chuck Liddell vs. Tito Ortiz 3. now his next fight will be in the UFC.

The 29-year-old Winn (5-0) announced on Thursday that not only has he joined the UFC roster, but he’ll be competing (unsurprisingly) in the middleweight division.

Winn is a three-time All-American, two-time junior college national champion wrestler out of Lindenwood University in Missouri. He made his professional MMA debut last year, and his first four fights all ended in first-round TKOs. The Daniel Cormier protege then took a step up in competition on the Liddell-Ortiz 3 undercard, taking a unanimous decision over UFC veteran Tom Lawlor.

At just 5’7” it goes without saying that he’d be a tad undersized at light heavyweight, so when he next steps into the cage, it’ll be his first appearance at middleweight.

There’s no word yet on the who, when, and where for Winn’s UFC debut.