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Light heavyweights Matt Hamill (8-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) and Keith Jardine (15-7-1 MMA, 6-6 UFC) are targeted to meet at The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale, MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned.
Sources close to the negotiations said at least one fighter has formally agreed to the fight and is expected to sign a bout agreement shortly.
Although not yet formally announced by the UFC, The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale is expected to take place June 19 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The event airs like on Spike TV and features the finalists of the reality show's 11th season as they fight for a UFC contract.
Jardine, 34, is undoubtedly fighting to stay relevant in the 205-pound division after three consecutive losses, and four of his six octagon losses have come by way of TKO or knockout.
In his most recent performance, Jardine was knocked out by "The Ultimate Fighter 8" winner Ryan Bader at UFC 110 in February.
Jardine's awkward style has won him key victories over Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell and Brandon Vera. However, those victories are dotted by losses to heavy-handed strikers.
Hamill, 33, recently returned to training after a grade-two shoulder separation that he suffered in his most recent bout against Jon Jones at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale this past December.
In a fight that Jones dominated, Hamill's injury occurred during a takedown in the first round. However, Jones threw an illegal "12-to-6" elbow from mount position shortly after the takedown and was disqualified for the strike, which gave Hamill the victory.
On paper, it was Hamill's third consecutive win, though he later wrote that he didn't receive it as such and gave praise to Jones for the performance.
The position of Jardine vs. Hamill on the Spike TV card is unknown at this time, though the fight is expected to be part of the event's televised portion.
Sources close to the negotiations said at least one fighter has formally agreed to the fight and is expected to sign a bout agreement shortly.
Although not yet formally announced by the UFC, The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale is expected to take place June 19 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The event airs like on Spike TV and features the finalists of the reality show's 11th season as they fight for a UFC contract.
Jardine, 34, is undoubtedly fighting to stay relevant in the 205-pound division after three consecutive losses, and four of his six octagon losses have come by way of TKO or knockout.
In his most recent performance, Jardine was knocked out by "The Ultimate Fighter 8" winner Ryan Bader at UFC 110 in February.
Jardine's awkward style has won him key victories over Forrest Griffin, Chuck Liddell and Brandon Vera. However, those victories are dotted by losses to heavy-handed strikers.
Hamill, 33, recently returned to training after a grade-two shoulder separation that he suffered in his most recent bout against Jon Jones at The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale this past December.
In a fight that Jones dominated, Hamill's injury occurred during a takedown in the first round. However, Jones threw an illegal "12-to-6" elbow from mount position shortly after the takedown and was disqualified for the strike, which gave Hamill the victory.
On paper, it was Hamill's third consecutive win, though he later wrote that he didn't receive it as such and gave praise to Jones for the performance.
The position of Jardine vs. Hamill on the Spike TV card is unknown at this time, though the fight is expected to be part of the event's televised portion.
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