Several fights confirmed for UFC Utica

When the UFC announced their latest event in Upstate New York, many were shocked to find out that it would be in Utica. The transition from sunny California to frigid Utica is a big one. After the Utica Observer-Dispatch announced the first fights to take place however, things heated up.

In a heavyweight bout, Walt Harris will take on Daniel Spitz. Why does Harris (10-7) seem so familiar so some? He was the one who faced Fabricio Werdum in a last-minute bout at UFC 216. Derrick Lewis backed out of the fight due to a back injury, and Harris stepped up to take the fight. He ended up losing via a first round submission, but he received a standing ovation for his gutsy effort. Harris is currently on a two-fight losing streak after facing his originally scheduled opponent, Mark Godbeer, at UFC 217.

Harris faces a young up-and-comer in Daniel Spitz. The 27-year old Spitz (6-1) recently defeated Anthony Hamilton at UFC Fight Night 116 in September. He also lost to Godbeer the fight before via UD. While Harris is looking to get back on track, Spitz is looking to shape up his resume. Anything can happen in the UFC, and these two fighters will look to prove they belong with the big boys of the heavyweight division.

Included on this card are two flyweight bouts. On the men’s side, we have Hector Sandoval facing Jarred Brooks. Both fighters are coming out of a loss. Sandoval (14-4) was KO’ed by Dustin Ortiz at UFC Fight Night 114 in August. Brooks (13-1) is coming off of a split decision loss against Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Fight Night 119 in October. Before that loss, he won 13 straight fights. This could end in any way, though it seems that Brooks has the most to gain from this bout.

Finally, in the women’s flyweight division, two former TUF fighters square off. Sijara Eubanks will take on Lauren Murphy. The two were on the same season for The Ultimate Fighter 26. This will be Eubanks’ (2-2) first UFC fight since the TUF tournament. She went 3-0 in the competition. On the other side of the octagon, this will be Murphy’s (10-3) sixth fight under the UFC banner. Her last fight was in December, in a winning effort against Barb Honchak. In a young flyweight division, these two will try and set the tone for contendership.

UFC Fight Night 131 will take place inside the Adirondack Bank Center on June 1. Tickets are expected to go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 6.