This upcoming Saturday night (May 28, 2011) at UFC 130: "Rampage vs. Hamill," a trio of exciting preliminary bouts will be shown for free on the UFC facebook page at approximately 7 p.m. ET.
Lightweight Brazilian Gleison Tibau stepped in on three week's notice for an injured Cody McKenzie and he'll be matching up with fellow injury replacement Rafaello Oliveira, who's stepping in on even later notice, about eight days in place of the injured Bart Palaszewski.
Tibau is hoping to continue to build momentum in the division while Oliveira, just happy to be back in the UFC, is hoping to earn a defining victory and an opportunity to stay in the world's largest promotion long term this go-around.
Bantamweight prospect Michael McDonald makes his return to the UFC after a "Fight of the Night" performance in his Octagon debut against Edwin Figueroa. The incredibly young fighter will look to continue to develop and steadily progress through the promotion's ranks.
McDonald's opponent, Chris Cariaso earned a unanimous decision victory over Will Campuzano in his UFC debut at the second Fight for the Troops event and he's looking to continue to ride the momentum against the youngest fighter in the UFC.
Renan Barao was originally slated to face Demetrious Johnson in his UFC debut but he'll have to settle for the former WEC bantamweight champion Cole Escovedo. Barao is an incredibly accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) fighter with 12 submission victories in his young career. The Brazilian makes his debut with the promotion having remarkably not lost in his last 26 professional fights.
Cole Escovedo is the first ever WEC featherweight champion but he'll be making his UFC debut at bantamweight against Barao. After a rough stretch in his career against some of the best smaller fighters in the world, he earned a trip to the UFC after campaigning for a spot on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) as well as winning his last fight in just two and a half minutes.
Can Tibau and Oliveira put on a show despite stepping in on late notice? Will Michael McDonald continue his meteoric rise? Will a former champion finally derail Barao's incredible streak?
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