UFC 145 Fight Card: Maximo Blanco Debuts Against Marcus Brimage

After receiving a fresh slate, UFC 145 has its first confirmed booking.

Strikeforce veteran Maximo Blanco will make his UFC debut on the Atlanta card against The Ultimate Fighter 14 cast member Marcus Brimage, according to reports from MMA Weekly.

A longtime lightweight, the 28-year-old Blanco (8-3-1, 1 NC) readies for the 145-pound division after a surprising second-round loss to Pat Healy snapped a six-fight win that saw the Venezuelan become the King Of Pancrase. Notably, "Maxi" is the only fighter to carry victories over both Inoue brothers, Katsuya and Seigo.

Meanwhile, despite stumbling against Bryan Caraway in the TUF 14 quarterfinals, the 26-year-old Brimage (4-1) paved his way into the UFC by cruising to a unanimous decision over Stephen Bass in the show's finale. Training out of American Top Team, "The Bama Beast" carries thunder in his hands, as evidenced by his second-round TKO over Bryson Wailehua-Hansen in TUF 14's opening round.

UFC 145 takes place on April 21 in Atlanta, Georgia. More match-ups are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

UFC 145 fight card:

Featherweight: Marcus Brimage vs. Maximo Blanco