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UFC Fight Night Halifax gets a main event

The UFC's first visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia on Saturday, October 4 now has a headliner, as top welterweight contenders Rory MacDonald and Tarec Saffiedine collide in a five-round matchup at the Halifax Metro Centre. Currently ranked number two in the world, British Columbia native MacDonald has won seven of his last eight bouts, with recent victories over Demian Maia and Tyron Woodley sending him to the top of the contenders' list. Belgium's Saffiedine has his sights set on a title shot, and the former Strikeforce champion is well on his way to that goal if he can extend his five-fight winning streak this October. Fresh from a Fight of the Night win over Hyun Gyu Lim in January, Saffiedine has no problem going into MacDonald's backyard to go after the win.


UFC Fight Night Halifax: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine
October 4, 2014
Halifax Metro Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada


Rory MacDonald (17-2) vs. Tarec Saffiedine (15-3)

The UFC Fight Night card in Halifax, Nova Scotia on October 4 continues to add compelling matchups, with the latest two being a key bantamweight bout between top ten contenders Raphael Assuncao and Bryan Caraway, and a strawweight showdown between newcomers Paige VanZant and Kailin Curran. The event is headlined by the five-round welterweight bout between Rory MacDonald and Tarec Saffiedine.

Currently ranked number three in the world at 135 pounds, Raphael Assuncao is on a six-fight winning streak that includes a win over current champion TJ Dillashaw. Looking to set up his first title shot, Assuncao must first get past the number eight-ranked Caraway, who has won five of his last six, all by submission. When 20-year-old Paige VanZant enters the Octagon for the first time in October, she will be the youngest female fighter in the UFC and second youngest overall. But with wins in three of her four pro fights, she's ready for the step up to the big leagues. Hawaii's Curran is a formidable test for VanZant, as she has an extensive amateur background as well as a perfect 3-0 pro MMA record.

Following an impressive UFC debut in May, China's Li Jingliang will travel to Halifax to battle Canada's own Nordine Taleb on the October 4 UFC Fight Night card headlined by the welterweight showdown between Rory MacDonald and Tarec Saffiedine. Nicknamed "The Leech," Li pounded out a hard-fought split decision victory over David Michaud at UFC 173, and this October he will meet up with two-time Ultimate Fighter competitor Taleb, who is returning to welterweight after a unanimous decision win against Vik Grujic at 185 pounds in April.


UFC Fight Night 54: Halifax
October 4, 2014
Halifax Metro Centre
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada


Current UFC Fight Night 54 lineup:

Rory MacDonald vs. Tarec Saffiedine
Raphael Assuncao vs. Bryan Caraway
Paige VanZant vs. Kailin Curran
Nordine Taleb vs. Li Jingliang
Elias Theodorou vs. Bruno Santos
Chad Laprise vs. Yosdenis Cedeno
Mitch Gagnon vs. Aljamain Sterling
Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. Jake Lindsey
Jason Saggo vs. Paul Felder
Matt Dwyer vs. Albert Tumenov