Earlier this morning, Ortiz posted via Twitter:

"Big news ppl! Will let you know asap!"

The news was then confirmed by MMAFighting, who contacted UFC President Dana White. Ortiz later later updated his Twitter account with the following post:

"The cat got out of the bag. Yes I am fighting at UFC121 at the Honda center Oct 23rd. Waiting for the contract from UFC to sign. Let's Go!"

Ortiz (15-7-1) has been out of commission since early this year when he suffered a neck injury that forced him out of his coaching position on The Ultimate Fighter 11. The disqualification as a coach also meant that he would not get a third chance to face opposing coach Chuck Liddell.

The former light-heavyweight champion has gone with a win in his last four fight, losing to Forrest Griffin, Lyoto Machida and Liddell, and drawing against Rashad Evans. Although he defended his former title five times, he has not racked up a win since late October 2006 victory over Ken Shamrock.

Hamill (9-2) and Ortiz are no strangers. Hamill played student to Ortiz's coach on the third season of The Ultimate Fighter. The Ohio-born fighter is currently riding a four-fight winning streak, with his latest victory sending TUF 2 alum Keith Jardine into UFC retirement.
[Submitted by blacklabel]



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The former Strikeforce middleweight champion has officially signed with the UFC, and will move back down to 170lbs, where he spent the majority of his career before a recent move to 185lbs.

The news was announced by GracieFighter.com, the site for Shields' lead trainer Cesar Gracie, on late Thursday night.

Shields has been long rumored to head to the UFC after finishing his Strikeforce contract with his last fight, a unanimous decision over former UFC middleweight Dan Henderson, back in April.

Contract negotiations followed as Shields became a free agent, but Strikeforce instead opted to release the California based fighter when a number couldn't be reached, and it's been assumed since that time that he'd sign with the UFC.

The website also proclaimed that Shields would be heading back to welterweight for his first fight with the promotion, after a stay at 185lbs in Strikeforce.

"Jake's opponent is one of the UFC's top contenders and will be announced shortly," the website stated.

Current rumors for a first fight for Shields includes a possible match-up with Martin Kampmann as early as UFC 121 in October. Following a win over Paulo Thiago in June, Kampmann welcomed the chance to face Shields for his first UFC fight.

"That would definitely be a good fight," Kampmann said about Shields. "He's tough and he's ranked real high in the welterweight division. For good reason, I didn't expect him to beat (Dan) Henderson, he's definitely good."
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Dominick Cruz has confirmed that he will rematch Joseph Benavidez in his first title defense. " Its official peeps," said Cruz. "Me vs benavidez again! I'm pumped! And will b more than ready to defend MY belt!" The Two fighters know one another pretty good considering this is a rematch.

The first time these two met was Aug. 9 2009 at WEC 42, In a fight that Cruz won by Unanimous Decision.
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After his win at ufc 114 Guillard said he wanted to fight Stephens .Dana White and the ufc must also want to see this fight take place. The bout was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com by sources close to the fight on Monday. The fight was first reported by MMAJunkie.com.

Melvin Guillard has a record of 24-8-2 and is on a two fight win streak. He made a move in training and now trains with Greg Jacksons team. Jeremy Stevens has a record of 17-5 and is also on a 2 fight win streak. Both fighter have great stand up skills and the fight could be a stand up war.

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