UFC roundup: Nunes vs. Siver set, Krass returns

As is often the case in the days following a big UFC event, a bevy of new fight matchups have been announced.

The UFC confirmed two dynamic featherweight matchups for UFC on FUEL TV 2 on April 14, the promotion’s first venture into Sweden.

German kickboxer Dennis Siver will make his featherweight debut against Diego Nunes.

Siver (19-8) is coming off a submission loss to Donald Cerrone at UFC 137, a loss that prompted his decision to drop down a weight class. Prior to the loss, Siver was riding a four-fight win streak and had won eight of nine fights. His only other loss during that span was a unanimous decision to Ross Pearson. It was rumoured that Siver was going to fight Pearson, who also recently made the move to 145 pounds, in a rematch but UFC officials decided on a bout with Nunes.

Nunes (17-2) is coming off a unanimous decision win over TUF 5 finalist Manvel Gamburyan at UFC 141. Prior to that the 29-year-old lost to Kenny Florian in Vancouver by decision in a No. 1 contender’s bout at UFC 131. Nunes has gone the distance in his last eight bouts, dating back to his WEC debut in December 2008.

The UFC also announced that TUF 14 contestant Akira Corassani will make his UFC debut against Jason Young.

Young (8-5) is known for his striking and is coming off two consecutive losses to Michihiro Omigawa and Dustin Poirier.

Corassani, a native of Sweden, is 9-3 with one no contest and is also known for his striking and fan-friendly style. Corassani is one of six Swedes currently scheduled to compete on the April 14 card, with Alexander Gustafsson headlining the event against Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

UFC on FOX 3

Rising welterweight Pascal Krauss will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon as he is set to face John Hathaway on May 5 at UFC on FOX 3.

Krauss (10-0) is regarded as one of the best welterweights in Europe, but hasn’t fought since making his UFC debut in November 2010. The 24-year-old defeated Mark Scanlon by unanimous decision at UFC 122 but has been sidelined with several injuries since. He was originally supposed to meet Hathaway at UFC 138 but was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a shoulder injury. The bout against Hathaway will be Krauss’ first fight on North American soil.

Hathaway (15-1) is coming off a split decision win over TUF vet Kris McCray last March.

UFC on FOX 3 is headlined by a lightweight bout between Nate Diaz and Jim Miller; a heavyweight slugfest between Pat Barry and Lavar Johnson is also scheduled for the event.

In other UFC news: Daniel Pineda will replace the injured Robert Peralta and fight Mackens Semerzier at UFC on FX 2 on March 3 in Sydney, Australia.

Pineda (16-7) has won six fights in a row and is coming off a submission win over Pat Schilling at UFC on FX 1 on Jan. 20.