· Gerald Harris To Debut At “Ultimate Fight Night: Maynard vs. Diaz”

· Article author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Posted on 12/11 at 10:37 AM

It has been a long wait for Gerald 'Hurricane' Harris, but one man's misfortune is another man's opportunity to shine. With Tim Credeur out (undisclosed injury) of "Ultimate Fight Night: Maynard vs Diaz" in Virginia, on January 11, Harris will get his long awaited chance to step inside the Octagon. When he does, he will be stepping in against Mike Massenzio.

Harris (13-2) is no stranger to the UFC, having competed on season seven of "The Ultimate Fighter". He won his way into the house by putting on a Rampage-esque show of slams. He lost to eventual winner Amir Sadollah after a dominating first round saw him bully Amir all over the cage. Unlike most cast members, Harris did not appear on the finale, meaning his dream to fight in for the UFC would have to be put on hold.

After the show, Harris went back home to Tulsa, Oklahoma to compete in several local promotions, and focus on improving his game, knowing that Joe Silva would call again. He went 6-0 in that stretch, highlighted by his 46 second knockout of former UFC fighter Nissen Osterneck to win the Shark Fights middleweight title in September. Harris' ground game has also improved since his time on the show, he took a tournament victory at NAGA's Arnold Classic earlier this year, as well as great finishes in other major grappling tournaments across the country.

Mike Massenzio (11-3), will be returning to the cage after more than year out of action. The promising middleweight has been on the shelf recovering from separate surgeries on his neck and knee. Massenzio is 1-1 since joining the UFC, debuting at "Ultimate Fight Night 15" with a quick submission win over powerhouse Drew McFedries. He would lose his next bout to another season seven veteran, C.B. Dollaway, by first round TKO at UFC 92 in December 2008.

"Ultimate Fight Night: Maynard vs Diaz" is set to take place from the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia on January 11. Headliners Gray Maynard and Nathan Diaz will square off in a fight that could have title implications, as well as a return home for Amir Sadollah.