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The fight card for UFC Fight Night 17 ‘Lauzon vs. Franca’ continues to take shape with the addition of welterweights Anthony Johnson (6-2) and Luigi Fioravanti (14-4), set to do battle at the University of Southern Florida (USF) Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida on February 7.

MMAmania.com learned earlier today that Johnson, fresh off his thrilling KO victory over Kevin Burns at UFC Ultimate Fighter Finale 8, will opt to come back in February rather than wait for a rumored fight with Mike “Quick” Swick later in the year.

Johnson avenged his controversial loss to Burns back at UFC Fight Night 14, knocking the Iowan senseless with a brutal head kick in the opening seconds of round three. Burns joins Tommy Speer and Chad Reiner on “Rumble’s” ever growing highlight reel.

He won’t have a free pass however against the gritty Fioravanti. The American Top Team standout and military serviceman-turned mixed martial artist has his share of knockouts, ending 50 percent of his fights by way of (T)KO.

Fioravanti was last seen taking Brodie Farber the distance in a unanimous decision win at UFC 16 ‘Fight for the Troops.’

UFC Fight Night 17 features several 155-pound match ups. Mac Danzig is expected to take on Josh Neer and Joe Lauzon and Hermes Franca are slated to headline the show. Kurt Pellegrino and Rob Emerson will also likely hook ‘em up.

Here is the current UFC Fight Night 17 fight card:

Main event:
155 lbs.: Hermes Franca (19-7) vs. Joe Lauzon (17-4)

Main card:
155 lbs.: Mac Danzig (18-5-1) vs. Josh Neer (24-7-1)
155 lbs.: Gleison Tibau (15-6) vs. Rich Clementi (32-13-1)
170 lbs.: Anthony Johnson (6-2) vs. Luigi Fioravanti (14-4)*
185 lbs.: Amir Sadollah (1-0) vs. Nick Catone (5-0)

Under card:
155 lbs.: George Sotiropolous (9-2) vs. Matt Grice (9-1)
155 lbs.: Kurt Pellegrino (12-4) vs. Rob Emerson (8-6)*
185 lbs.: Alessio Sakara (13-7) vs. Jake Rosholt (5-0)
265 lbs.: Cain Velaquez (4-0) vs. Denis Stojnic (5-1)*

*Fight not yet officially confirmed by UFC.com.

To check out the latest UFC Fight Night 17 fight card and rumors click here.

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Fresh off his stunning high kick knockout victory over Kevin Burns during the live finale for the eighth season of The Ultimate Fighter, Anthony Johnson is set to return to the Octagon on February 7 during UFC Fight Night 17 against Luigi Fioravanti. FiveOuncesOfPain.com learned of the news from Johnson’s agent, Ken Pavia, early Saturday afternoon [...]

The conclusion of season 8 of The Ultimate Fighter comes to an end with two finale fights. First, Efrain Escudero will take on Phillipe Nover in the lightweight final. Plus, Ryan Bader will take on BJJ master Vinny Magalhaes in the light heavyweight final.

The Ultimate Fighter season 8 finals will air on Dec. 13th live on Spike TV.

MAIN CARD

Efrain Escudero vs. Phillipe Nover (TUF LW Final)
Ryan Bader vs. Vinicius Magalhaes (TUF LHW Final)
Wilson Gouveia vs. Jason MacDonald
Kevin Burns vs. Anthony Johnson
Junie Browning vs. Dave Kaplan

PRELIMINARY CARD

Shane Primm vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
Jules Bruchez vs. Eliot Marshall
Kyle Kingsbury vs. Tom Lawlor
Shane Nelson vs. George Roop

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“My hand is healed and I’m really, really, really excited to use it. ou have no idea. When I fought him, I had no uppercut, no left hook, no left jab. I threw a lot of really heavy rights. He’s going to be shocked when he gets hit with jab…. Unless he decides he wants to take me down, I’ll stand and bang with him,” said Burns. “He’s said in the past that he hates the ground. If that’s the case, let’s see who takes who down. I’m guessing he stands with me, I press him with a crazy pace, and he starts to get tired and tries for the takedown.”

– Kevin Burns tells NBC.com that there are no more issues with his left hand, which led to a controversial result against Anthony Johnson at UFC Fight Night 14 earlier this year. “Rumble” lost to Burns via third round technical knockout in their first encounter; however, video replays of the stoppage show that Johnson was felled by an unintentional eye poke and not an uppercut. It was all because Burns had an injured paw going into the welterweight bout and had to use open hand palm strikes. The pair will run it back once and for all on the televised portion of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 Finale at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 13. Hopefully without incident.

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Following last nights two episodes of The Ultimate Fighter reality show, the UFC has released the official lineup for the TUF 8 Finale on December 13th.

Rounding out the show will be the lightweight final between Phillipe Nover taking on Efrain Escudero and in the light heavyweight finale wrestler Ryan Bader vs. Vinicius “Vinny” Magalhaes.

MAIN CARD

Efrain Escudero vs. Phillipe Nover (Lightweight Finals)
Ryan Bader vs. Vinicius Magalhaes (Light Heavyweights Finals)
Wilson Gouveia vs. Jason MacDonald
Kevin Burns vs. Anthony Johnson
Junie Browning vs. Dave Kaplan

PRELIMINARY CARD

Shane Primm vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
Jules Bruchez vs. Eliot Marshall
Kyle Kingsbury vs. Tom Lawlor
Shane Nelson vs. George Roop

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Anthony Johnson Knoxx Interview
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Tags: Mixed Martial Arts, Fight, Videos, Pancrase, MMA

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In the words of one Robbie Lawler, welterweights Anthony Johnson and Kevin Burns are penciled in to “run it back” after their fight at UFC Fight Night 14 ended in controversy earlier this year.

MMAmania.com can confirm that Johnson and Burns are set to rematch at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 Finale at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 13.

“Rumble” lost to Burns via third round technical knockout in their first encounter; however, video replays of the stoppage show that Johnson was felled by an unintentional eye poke and not an uppercut.

The referee in charge of the action, Steve Mazzagatti, unfortunately did not have the benefit of watching instant replay and called a halt to the 170-pound bout.

Johnson eventually had to undergo eye surgery to repair a damaged retina. He and his management, meanwhile, filed an appeal to have the technical knockout loss overturned and ruled a no contest.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), however, was unable to grant the request, indicating that the regulatory body did not have the legal authority to change the result.

It’s important to note that Johnson and Mazzagatti crossed paths at a smaller show several weeks after the match and Mazzagatti apologized for the bad call.

All things considered this is the best possible move by the promotion to erase any doubt and determine a clear cut winner.

TUF 8 Finale will also feature the finals of the lightweight and light heavyweight tournament-style format that is currently in progress on the mixed martial arts reality series. It will air live on Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET on fight night.

Stay tuned for more fight card updates.

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After the disaster call by referee Steve Mazzagatti at UFN 14 “Silva vs. Irvin”, Anthony Johnson (5-2) will get the instant rematch to avenge his lost to Kevin Burns (7-1) at The Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale set for 13th.

The first fight between the two ended in controversy, when referee Steve Mazzagatti stopped the fight after a thumb poke to the eye of Johnson was ruled a knockdown instead of an illegal strike.

Johnson petitioned the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) to overturn the decision, but the call was upheld.

Sources close to both fighters today told MMAjunkie.com that the two competitors have agreed to the fight and that it will be finalized in the coming days.

For the latest on TUF 8 Finale, check out our MMA Rumors section.

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After the disaster call by referee Steve Mazzagatti at UFN 14 “Silva vs. Irvin”, Anthony Johnson (5-2) will get the instant rematch to avenge his lost to Kevin Burns (7-1) at The Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale set for 13th.

The first fight between the two ended in controversy, when referee Steve Mazzagatti stopped the fight after a thumb poke to the eye of Johnson was ruled a knockdown instead of an illegal strike.

Johnson petitioned the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) to overturn the decision, but the call was upheld.

Sources close to both fighters today told MMAjunkie.com that the two competitors have agreed to the fight and that it will be finalized in the coming days.

For the latest on TUF 8 Finale, check out our MMA Rumors section.

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UFC welterweight fighter Anthony Johnson lost his appeal to the Nevada State Athletic Commission of his controversial TKO loss to Kevin Burns during UFC Fight Night 14 on July 19. MMAFrenzy.com was the first to confirm the news via e-mail with NSAC Executive Director Keith Kizer. “Based on advice from the Nevada Attorney General’s office, the appeal [...]