Derek Brunson vs. Lorenz Larkin added to UFC 176 in August

It has been announced that middleweights Derek Brunson and Lorenz Larkin are set to fight at UFC 176 later this summer.

UFC 176 takes place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on August 2nd.  It is headlined by featherweight champion Jose Aldo and top contender Chad Mendes. 

Derek Brunson is coming off of a TKO loss to Yoel Romero last January.  Brunson was winning the fight, but Romero stopped the fight which would've likely resulted in a decision win for Brunson. 

(photo courtesy to Zuffa)

 

Lorenz Larkin, on the other hand, is desperately in need of a win in the Octagon.  He's currently 1-3 in the UFC, with a win against Chris Camozzi.  In his debut he lost to Francis Carmont in April 2013.  He then defeated Camozzi but went on to lose to Brad Tavares last January and then to Costas Phillipou just last month in Cincinnati.

Larkin has had many opportunities to make it into the Top 15 of middleweights, as Carmont, Tavares and Phillipou are all in the Top 15 right now. All 3 times he has been unsuccessful.

A win over Brunson likely wouldn't get him into the rankings, as neither of them are currently in the top 15, but it'll get him closer, and most importantly, save his career.