Two big bouts added to UFC Fight Night Manila

 MANILA, Philippines – The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s first live event in the country on May 16 continues to take shape as the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization has added two high-profile matches.

Gegard Mousasi faces Costas Philippou in a three-round middleweight tussle, while Korean welterweight Hyun Gyu Lim locks horns with Neil Magny.

Mousasi (36-5-2), a two-division world champion, has won three of his last five Octagon appearances since joining the UFC nearly two years ago, defeating the likes of Ilir Latifi, Mark Muñoz and Dan Henderson.

Following his third-round submission loss to current No.1-ranked middleweight Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza this past September, the 29-year-old “Dreamcatcher” rebounded on a high note by thwarting Henderson in just 70 seconds last January.

On the other hand, Philippou (13-4, 1 NC) was last seen in action when he knocked out Lorenz Larkin to snap his two-fight losing skid in May 2014.

The 35-year-old Philippou was originally penciled to make his return to actionagainst Uriah Hall in January, but he was compelled to pull out of the bout after suffering a rib injury.

Meanwhile, Lim (13-4-1) looks to build on the momentum that he received for making a quick work on Takenori Sato with vicious elbows six months ago.

The former PXC welterweight titleholder has compiled a UFC record of 3-1 in his two years with the promotion, having notable triumphs over Marcelo Guimaraes, Pascal Krauss and Sato.

On the opposite end, Magny (14-3) aims to extend his impressive six-fight winning streak, which includes his recent stoppages of William Macario and Kiichi Kunimoto.

UFC Fight Night 66, which takes place at the 20,000-seater SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, is headlined by a featherweight super-fight between Urijah Faber and Frankie Edgar.

Faber and Edgar will be arriving in the Philippines earlier than planned to host an on-sale press conference on March 10 at Solaire Resort & Casino’s Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City. – Rappler.com