Tony Ferguson vs. Mike Rio added to UFC 166

A lightweight bout has been added to UFC 166 in Houston as Ultimate Fighter 13 winner Tony Ferguson meets Ultimate Fighter 15 alum Mike Rio.

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

UFC officials announced the fight booking on Friday and the fight will likely take place on the preliminary card.

UFC 166 takes place on October 19th from the Toyota Center in Houston and will be headlined by Cain Velasquez defending the UFC heavyweight title against Junior dos Santos.

Ferguson (13-3) opened his UFC career by winning his first three fights in the promotion including his knockout victory over Ramsey Nijem to win The Ultimate Fighter 13. He is coming off a decision defeat against Michael Johnson at UFC on FOX 5 and the defeat snapped a six fight winning streak.

Rio (9-2) entered the UFC in 2012 during The Ultimate Fighter 15 but did not make his official UFC debut until The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale. He won his debut with the promotion by defeating John Cofer by armbar submission in the third round. He returned in May at UFC on FX 8 and was defearted by Francisco Trinaldo.

The current UFC 166: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos III card is below:

Cain Velasquez (12-1) vs. Junior dos Santos (16-2)
Hector Lombard (32-4-1, 1NC) vs. Nate Marquardt (32-12-2)
Gilbert Melendez (21-3) vs. Diego Sanchez (24-5)
Tony Ferguson (13-3) vs. Mike Rio (9-2)