For the third time in five months, Nam Phan (17-9) readies for an appearance inside the Octagon. His thrilling two-part series with Leonard Garcia behind him, the TUF 12 veteran has been slated to face undefeated featherweight prospect Jim Hettes (9-0) at December's UFC 141 card.
Phan, a karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jistu blackbelt, returns to the cage after avenging a controversial decision to Garcia at UFC 136. Despite possessing a 1-2 UFC record, the 28-year-old has shown promise in losses Garcia and former WEC champion Mike Brown, as well as a penchant for firefights with two "Fight of the Night" bonuses to his credit.
Meanwhile, Hettes, a 24-year-old prospect from Pennsylvania, hopes to build off the momentum earned from stunning second-round stoppage against Alex Caceres in his UFC debut. Regarded as a proficient finisher, all nine of "The Kid's" victories have come by way of submission.
UFC 141 takes place on December 30th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar collides with former Strikeforce, Dream, and K-1 heavyweight king Alistair Overeem in the night's main event.
UFC 141 fight card:
Heavyweight: Alistair Overeem vs. Brock Lesnar
Lightweight: Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz
Light Heavyweight: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
Welterweight: Johny Hendricks vs. Jon Fitch
Welterweight: Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson
Featherweight: Manny Gamburyan vs. Diego Nunes
Featherweight: Nam Phan vs. Jim Hettes
Lightweight: Junior Assuncao vs. Ross Pearson
Lightweight: T.J. Grant vs. Jacob Volkmann
Welterweight: Luis Ramos vs. Matt Riddle