Highly Touted Prospect Johnny Rees Set for his UFC Debut

by Dann Stupp on Jun 19, 2008 at 6:40 pm ET

Johnny Rees (10-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) and Nate Loughran (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), two UFC newcomers with a combined 18 stoppage victories in 18 career fights, will meet at UFC Fight Night 14.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today confirmed the July 19 bout with Rees' management.

The fight takes place at the The Palms Las Vegas and airs live on Spike TV.

Rees, a veteran of the Indiana-based Legends of Fighting and United Fight League organizations, turned pro in October 2005 and has reeled off 10 consecutive victories -- eight via submission and seven in the first round. He'll now fight for the first time since a November 2007 victory over Jeremy Wingler (7-3) at LOF 22.

Loughran, a veteran of Gladiator Challenge and Palace Fighting Championship, has posted eight consecutive victories -- seven via submission and six in the first round. In his most recent fight, he picked up the PFC middleweight title with a second-round submission victory over Kenny Ento (9-4).

"The winner of the fight will be the fans," said Ken Pavia, Rees' agent. "Between the two of them, they are 18-0 with 18 definitive finishes. (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva did a great job with this fight. I am excited for Johnny because a win over Nate really puts him on the map and puts him closer to his dream of wearing a UFC strap. The kid is legit."

Rees and Loughran are the latest UFC newcomers added to the July 19 card. MMAjunkie.com previously reported that Reese Andy, Brad Blackburn and James Giboo will also make their UFC debuts at UFC Fight Night 14, an event that was quickly put together to counter "Affliction: Banned." The debut show for Affliction also takes place July 19 and features a main event between former PRIDE champion Fedor Emelianenko and former UFC title-holder Tim Sylvia.

For the latest UFC Fight Night 14 card, check out the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com.