Brad Blackburn Makes his UFC Debut at UFC Fight Night 14

By: MMA Junkie's Dann Stupp on Jun 19, 2008 at 10:18 am ET

James Giboo (11-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and Brad Blackburn (12-9-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will meet at the recently scheduled UFC Fight Night 14 event, which is headlined by UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin in a non-title light-heavyweight fight.

Giboo and Blackburn, UFC welterweights newcomers, recently agreed to the bout, sources close to both fighters tell MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com).

The event takes place July 19 at The Palms Las Vegas and airs on Spike TV.

Giboo, an Iowa-based fighter who's fought in the Midwest's top regional promotions, is currently riding a six-fight win streak. The 30-year-old has balanced a fighting career with duties as a high school biology teacher and wrestling coach. The noted ground fighter has finished nine of his 11 career victories via submission, most by rear-naked or triangle choke.

Blackburn, a former IFL fighter based out of Seattle, trains under Maurice Smith with Andy Reese, who will meet Brandon Vera at the same July 19 event. The 31-year-old has lost just once in his past five fights, which included a victory over highly touted IFL welterweight Jay Hieron in June 2007.

UFC Fight Night 14 was announced just this week. It'll counter Affliction's debut show, which features a main event of Fedor Emelianenko vs. Tim Sylvia. The "Affliction: Banned" card airs first on FSN, and then the main card will be available on pay per view ($39.95).

For the latest on UFC Fight Night 14, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.