MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the organization that The Ultimate Fighter 12 cast member Alex "Bruce Leroy" Caceres (4-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is dropping to 145 pounds and will face WEC import Mackens Semerzier (5-3 MMA, 1-3 WEC) at UFC Fight Night 24.
Verbal agreements are in place for the contest, and contracts are expected to be finalized shortly.
While not yet officially announced by the promotion, UFC Fight Night 24 is expected to take place March 26 in Seattle and feature a headliner between Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Tito Ortiz.
The 22-year-old Caceres makes his official UFC debut after an often-controversial run on "The Ultimate Fighter 12: Team GSP vs. Team Koscheck." While the athletic Caceres looked impressive in two submission wins while in the house, but his brash, cocky attitude often drew the ire of his housemates.
Caceres was ultimately eliminated in the quarterfinals by eventual finalist Michael Johnson. Nevertheless, Caceres showed enough promise to warrant a return call from the UFC, and he was expected to face Nam Phan on the season's live finale, though an injury suffered in training forced him to delay his octagon debut.
Meanwhile, Semerzier enters the UFC on a rare three-fight win streak under the Zuffa banner. After shocking the MMA world in his WEC debut by submitting Wagnney Fabiano in October 2009, Semerzier has since suffered decision losses to Cub Swanson and Deividas Taurosevicius, as well as a submission loss to Javier Vazquez sandwiched in between.
However, the 30-year-old Virginian's efforts have been game in each contest, and he's been given a shot at redemption in the UFC's octagon. The bout is likely do-or-die for Semerzier.
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