TIEQUAN ZHANG VS ISSEI TAMURA AT UFC 144
By Joe Lebeau on 2/11/2012 10:30 PM
Originally matched up with Leonard Garcia, who then pulled out due to injury, Tiequan Zhang finally has a replacement opponent.
UFC officials announced late Saturday that Shooto veteran Issei Tamura has stepped in to take on "The Mongolian Wolf".
Zhang (15-2), one of China's top mixed martial artists, made the move to the UFC from the WEC in January of 2011, and has gone 1-1 in the promotion with a submission win over Jason Reinhardt at UFC 127, and a unanimous decision loss to Darren Elkins at UFC 136. Tamura (6-2), went 1-1 in 2011 himself, with a knockout victory over Katsuya Toida at Shooto - Gig Tokyo 7, and a majority decision loss to Guy Delumeau at Shooto - Shooto the Shoot 2011 in November.
UFC 144: Edgar vs Henderson takes place Sunday, Feb. 26 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, but airs live on Pay Per View on February 25th in North America, and features a lightweight title fight between Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson.
