A lightweight contest between Octagon newcomers Anton Kuivanen and Justin Salas has been added to the fight card of UFC on Fuel TV 1. UFC officials confirmed the match-up on Monday.
Kuivanen was initially slated to debut opposite UFC rookie C.J. Keith, however Keith's family home tragically burned down the very same day he signed his contract.
A 27-year-old prospect out of Helsinki, Finland, Kuivanen (16-4) enters the UFC on the strength of a nine-fight win streak, capped by a decision victory over Thiago Meller last October. Known as a jiu-jitsu specialist, eight of Kuivanen's twelve wins have come by way of submission.
Meanwhile, the Colorado-born Salas (9-3) debuts in the Octagon after ripping through five straight opponents, including recent victories over UFC alum Robert Emerson and Joe Ellenberger, brother of UFC on Fuel TV 1 headliner Jake Ellenberger. A six-year veteran of the fight game, Salas trains out of Grudge Training Center and has five first-round finishes to his credit.
UFC on Fuel TV 1 takes place February 15th at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska. Welterweight contenders Jake Ellenberger and Diego Sanchez square off in the night's main event.
UFC on Fuel TV 1 fight card:
Welterweight: Diego Sanchez vs. Jake Ellenberger
Heavyweight: Stefan Struve vs. Dave Herman
Middleweight: Aaron Simpson vs. Ronny Markes
Bantamweight: Ivan Menjivar vs. John Albert
Heavyweight: Philip De Fries vs. Stipe Miocic
Featherweight: Jonathan Brookins vs. Vagner Rocha
Bantamweight: T.J. Dillashaw vs. Walel Watson
Lightweight: Bernardo Magalhaes vs. Yoislandy Izquierdo
Middleweight: Buddy Roberts vs. Sean Loeffler
Lightweight: Anton Kuivanen vs. Justin Salas