JOSH KOSCHECK AND YOSHIYUKI YOSHIDA HEADLINE “UFC FIGHT FOR THE TROOPS” EVENT ON SPIKE TV

Courtesy of Spike TV:

Mike Swick Takes On Jonathon Goulet And Frankie Edgar Battles Matt Wiman In Co-Features Live From Fayetteville, NC December 10 At 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT

Undercard Features A Former Marine and Four Navy Veterans Who Are Current UFC Fighters

New York, NY, November 10, 2008 -- Fighting with a truly meaningful purpose in front of some real American heroes, “The Ultimate Fighter” alums Josh Koscheck, Mike Swick, Matt Wiman will be featured on Spike TV’s telecast of “UFC Fight For The Troops” live from the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina on Wednesday, December 10 at 9:00pm ET/6:00pm PT.

The special live UFC fight card will raise funds to build a hospital for traumatic brain injuries for the brave men and women in the United States Armed Forces. Thousands of soldiers from nearby Fort Bragg, the proud home of the U.S. Airborne and Special Operations Forces, will be in attendance. More information about the facility, including ways to donate, can be found online at http://www.fallenheroesfund.org or by calling 1-800-340 HERO

The fight card also showcases five current UFC fighters who are all U.S. military veterans including Luigi Fioravanti, Tim Credeur, Dale Hartt, Brandon Wolff, and Steve Bruno. An additional fight will be added to the main event and announced at a later date.

“The Ultimate Fighter 1” standout Koscheck (13-3) has won seven of his last nine decisions, only tasting defeat at the hands of current welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre in a three-round decision last August at UFC 74, and most recently Thiago Alves at UFC 90 in Chicago. Koscheck, fighting out of Fresno, CA, needs a win to get back on the winning track in his quest for a potential rematch with St. Pierre.

Swick (12-2), fighting out of San Jose, CA, has also won seven of his last eight bouts in the Octagon including a three round decision over Josh Burkman this past January in a main on Spike TV’s “UFC Fight Night.” To continue his quest for a potential title shot, he must defeat fellow welterweight contender, Jonathon Goulet (22-9). The hard-kicking 29-year old Canadian recently scored a TKO victory at UFC 83 over Kuniyoshi Hironaka.

“The Ultimate Fighter 5” standout Matt Wiman (10-3), a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, has won four straight contests in the Octagon, including an impressive 2nd round knockout of Thiago Tavares at UFC 85 in June. “Handsome” Matt will face his toughest test yet against the pride of Toms River, NJ, Frankie Edgar. A rising star in the lightweight division (9-1), Edgar is coming off the biggest win of his professional career, a three-round decision over the dangerous Hermes Franca this past July at “UFC Fight Night: Silva vs. Irvin” on Spike TV.

On the undercard, two promising fighters make their UFC Octagon® debut as Steve Cantwell battles Razak Al-Hussan. The 22 year-old Cantwell, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada, holds the WEC light heavyweight belt and has won six of his seven pro mixed martial arts fights. His most recent victory, a 2nd round TKO victory over Brian Stann in August, was the biggest of his career and netted him the WEC belt. In the opposite corner will be Al-Hussan of Des Moines, IA, who possesses a 5-0 professional MMA record, with four of his five wins coming via TKO or submission. He will look to continue that undefeated trend in his matchup with Cantwell.

The undercard also includes former U.S. Marine Luigi Fioravanti vs. Brodie Farber; U.S. Navy veteran Dale Hartt vs. Corey Hill from “The Ultimate Fighter 5;” Ben Saunders from “The Ultimate Fighter 5” vs. former Navy SEAL Brandon Wolff; “The Ultimate Fighter 7” semi-finalist and U.S. Navy veteran Tim Credeur vs. Nate Loughran; Johnny Rees vs. U.S. Navy veteran Steve Bruno; and Justin McCully vs Eddie Sanchez.

“UFC Fight For The Troops” will feature a full UFC fight card as well as celebrity appearances and an all-star lineup of UFC fighters. Further details on appearances and event information will be released soon.

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