UFC
Mike Easton makes UFC debut against Jeff Hougland at UFC on Versus 6 in October
Jul 27, 2011 - 9:10:28 AM Mike Easton makes UFC debut against Jeff Hougland at UFC on Versus 6 in October

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Talented bantamweight prospect Mike Easton will get his opportunity to step up to the big show this October, as the UFC announced late Tuesday that he will take on Jeff Hougland at UFC on Versus 6.

The last time Easton was in the cage was in October of 2009, where he defended his Ultimate Warrior Challenge Bantamweight Title against Chase Beebe in one of the most controversial decisions of the last five years. The bout was deemed the "Robbery of the Year" for 2009, but regardless of the controversy it brought Easton to 10-1 overall in his record.

Easton's sole loss came in 2007 when he suffered a broken arm during a fight, prompting officials to stop the fight. Since his fight with Beebe, Easton has battled injuries that have kept him out of action, and this fight with Hougland will be his first in two years.

Hougland began his career with a 1-4 record, but then posted eight straight wins in a six-year span before getting his call up to the UFC earlier this month at UFC 132. In his debut fight, Hougland posted an upset decision victory over Donny Walker for his 10th career win.

UFC on Versus 6 takes place from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 1, headlined by a UFC Bantamweight Championship bout between Dominick Cruz and Demetrious Johnson.

Penick's Analysis: This isn't a surprising signing for this card. Easton is a D.C. native, and will absolutely be a local draw for the card. Though the Beebe decision was an absolute robbery, Easton is still an extremely talented fighter. Hopefully the injuries he's battled over the last two years don't have a massively detrimental effect on his game, and if he can come in and impress, and shake off the ring rust at the same time, he could certainly establish himself in the division.