UFC
British bantamweight Vaughan Lee meets Chris Cariaso in UFC debut at UFC 138 [UPDATED]
Jul 28, 2011 - 8:50:06 AM British bantamweight Vaughan Lee meets Chris Cariaso in UFC debut at UFC 138 [UPDATED]

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

The UFC has signed another new fighter to their bantamweight roster, as British fighter Vaughan Lee will make his debut in the organization at UFC 138.

The UFC announced his signing on Wednesday, and a separate report from MMAHQ.com states that he'll make his debut against Chris Cariaso on the November 5 card.

Unbeaten in his last five fights, Lee is riding the second-best run of his MMA career. After losing his first three career fights, Lee won six in a row. Then he went on a 1-3 stretch before going 4-0-1 in his last five, including a three fight winning streak into this debut.

Cariaso has split his two appearances in the Octagon thus far, and the 30-year-old is an even 2-2 in four fights under the Zuffa banner. After a decision win over Will Campuzano in January, Cariaso dropped a split decision to Michael McDonald in May.

UFC 138 takes place from the LG Arena in Birmingham, England on November 5, headlined by a middleweight bout between Chris Leben and Mark Munoz. The event airs via same day delay on Spike TV in the U.S.

Penick's Analysis: This is a solid bantamweight signing for the UFC, and it should be a good preliminary card fight for the organization on this card. Debuting in front of his home country fans, Lee will have the home field advantage in his first fight in the Octagon. Cariaso will attempt to put together his first consecutive wins since he began his Zuffa career in the WEC in January of 2010. It should make for a good fight.

UPDATE: UFC officials confirmed the booking of this bout overnight and it will take place as part of the night's preliminary card in Birmingham.