UFC Newcomers to get Veteran Welcome on September 17th

By Thomas Gerbasi

Newcomers Jason Brilz, Mike Massenzio, and Dan Miller will get stern tests when they make their Octagon debuts on the UFC Fight Night card at the Omaha Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska on September 17th.

In middleweight action, New Jersey’s Massenzio takes on knockout artist Drew McFedries, and another Garden State product, Dan Miller, battles Rob Kimmons. In a light heavyweight bout, Jason Brilz squares off against former heavyweight Brad Morris.

In featured action on the UFC Fight Night show, which will be televised on Spike TV, Nate Diaz faces Josh Neer, Mac Danzig takes on Clay Guida, and Houston Alexander returns to Nebraska for a bout against Eric Schafer.

Paterson, New Jersey’s Mike Massenzio (10-2) has supplemented his wrestling ability with striking and jiu-jitsu, making him a dangerous and well-rounded battler when the bell rings. Winner of nine out of his last ten bouts, including victories over Dante Rivera and Dan Miller, Massenzio will be pushed to the limit by the concussive punching McFedries on September 17th.

“He’s a tough fighter with heavy hands,” said Massenzio of McFedries. “But I’m excited for the opportunity.”

Winner of 15 of 17 pro MMA bouts, Jason ‘The Hitman’ Brilz (15-1-1) is looking for victory # 16 in his Omaha hometown this September. A four-year standout in wrestling for the University of Nebraska-Omaha, Brilz has had similar success in the fight game, scoring wins over UFC vets Jason MacDonald and Alex Schoenauer over the course of his eight year career. In May, he returned from a year-long layoff to submit Erik Jenks, and now it’s time for him to step up to the UFC against Australia’s Brad Morris.

“He’s a tough, strong guy,” said Brilz. “It should be a good fight.”

Hailing from Whippany, New Jersey, Dan Miller (8-1, 1 NC) is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt who has held the IFL and Cage Fury middleweight belts. Fresh off a first round submission of Ryan McGivern in May, Miller is eager to test himself in the Octagon.

“This has been a dream of mine since I began fighting,” he said. “The UFC has the best fighters in the world and if you want to be ranked as a great fighter, you have to be fighting here.”

Tickets for UFC Fight Night in Omaha, Nebraska are on sale now.