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Jan 12, 2009 - 8:36:58 PM By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief With the WEC dropping it's light heavyweight and middleweight divisions after WEC 37, the fighters that have been picked up by the UFC have been making their transition into the mix. That transition continues with two more middleweights set to make their UFC debuts in a bout against each other at Fight Night 18 on April 1st. The two in question are Aaron Simpson and Tim McKenzie, and the bout was first announced this morning by Sam Caplan at FiveOuncesOfPain.com.
McKenzie appeared on both WEC 33 and 34, splitting his two contests there. He's coming off of a victory at WEC 34 over Jeremy Lang.
Aaron Simpson needed just 18 seconds to dispatch his last opponent in November at WEC 36, and is a perfect 4-0 in his young MMA career.
Fight Night 18 is set to take place on April 1st from Nashville, TN, and will air live on Spike TV.
Penick's Analysis: Simpson's another fighter who is going to be exciting to watch as he starts his UFC trek. He's only four bouts into his career at age 34, but he's got a ton of potential still. His quick knockout over David Avellan at WEC 36 was stellar, and he's got quite a bit of skill despite being in the game only over a year. This free show's shaping up nicely so far.
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