The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) season eight blackout artist Phillipe Nover is expected to return to action against Rob Emerson at UFC 109 in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Feb. 6, 2010, according to MMAWeekly.com.
Nover recently suffered what was initially reported as a seizure in the locker room at UFC Fight Night 19 on Sept. 16, forcing the cancellation of his undercard bout against Sam Stout. It wasn’t the first time the former Brooklyn nurse lost consciousness — he lost his legs on the first episode of the Spike TV reality show last year.
He has been medically cleared to fight.
And “The Filipino Assassin” is more than likely extremely anxious to prove he still belongs on the UFC roster after his latest episode, as well as a questionable stoppage that led to a first round technical knockout loss to Bradley at UFC 98: “Evans vs. Machida” back in May.
It was the second straight loss for “The Next Anderson Silva,” who came up short against a determined Efrain Escudero in the TUF 8 Finale last December.
Will he be able to break out of his slump against Emerson?
“The Saint” is looking to bust out of a two-fight skid of his own after most recently dropping a unanimous decision to Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 103: “Franklin vs. Belfort” back in September.
Prior to the back-to-back losses Emerson had compiled an impressive six-fight win streak, which included the rare double knockout-tapout “No Contest” against top division contender Gray Maynard in 2007.
However, he has been unable to get back in the win column since meeting up with Kurt Pellegrino at UFC Fight Night 17 earlier this year. “Batman” slapped on a fight-ending (rear naked choke) in round two, ending Emerson’s dominating run.
Like Nover, Emerson will undoubtedly look to get back to his winning ways in “Sin City” on fight night.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more information on UFC 109, which has yet to be officially announced by the promotion, as it develops.
