A middleweight fight between Eric Spicely and Alessio Di Chirico is official for UFC on FOX 23.
The news was announced by Brazilian outlet Olimpo MMA.
Spicely (9-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) was a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter Season 23, but was eliminated from the competition by eventual winner Andrew Sanchez. Despite the loss, Spicely was given an opportunity in the UFC, and faced Sam Alvey at UFC Sioux Falls. Spicely lost the fight via submission in the first round. Desperate for a win, “The Dream Catcher” faced surging Brazilian Thiago Santos at UFC Brasilia, and won the fight via submission just under three minutes into the third round.
Di Chirico (10-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) also suffered defeat in his UFC debut, his coming against Croatian Bojan Velickovic at UFC Fight Night 86; Di Chirico lost the bout via decision. In his second, and most recent UFC appearance, the Italian walked away with a split decision victory over Gareth McLellan at UFC on FOX 21. Prior to signing with the UFC, the 27-year-old went 9-0 with eight finishes.
UFC on FOX 23 takes place live from the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, on January 28. The card is set to be headlined by a Women’s Bantamweight Fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Julianna Pena; the card also features an exciting welterweight contest between Donald Cerrone and Jorge Masvidal.
