A flyweight scrap between #9 ranked Louis Smolka and #15 ranked Sergio Pettis.
The bout was initially reported by The Oregonian.
Smolka (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) made a successful debut in the UFC with a decision victory over Alpetkin Ozkilic before suffering a split decision loss to Chris Cariaso. Following the loss, Smolka earned a Performance of the Night bonus with a third round knockout victory over Richie Vaculik. The Hawaiian then went on to outpoint Neil Seery at UFC 189 before stopping Irishman Paddy Holohan after a back and forth first round in Dublin at UFC Fight Night 76. In his most recent outing, Smolka stopped Ben Nguyen via second round TKO at UFC Sioux Falls.
Pettis (14-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) came into the UFC with high expectations as he is the younger brother of former lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis. “The Phenom” debuted in the promotion with a victory over Will Campuzano before suffering a third round submission loss to Alex Caceres. Rebounding from his first professional loss, Pettis won two straight, taking decisions over Yaotzin Meza and Matt Hobar. Pettis then suffered his second loss in the UFC when he was stopped by Ryan Benoit at UFC 185. Following the loss, Pettis put together two more wins, the first against Chris Cariaso and the second, and most recent against Chris Kelades.
UFC Fight Night 96 takes place live from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon on October 1st, 2016. There is no main event currently set for the card.
