A mainstay in the Pacific Northwest, Dennis Hallman attained a state championship wrestling career in his home state and still maintains a large presence in the area. Recently coming off two consecutive wins versus Ben Saunders and Karo Parisyan, the 35-year-old “Superman” looks to use the Texan, Waldburger, as a steppingstone in his run to resurrect a career highlighted by two victories over welterweight legend Matt Hughes. It is possible that a win at UFC Fight Night 24 could land the 60-fight veteran a top contender bout in the near future.
Stepping in against the hometown favorite, Texas’ own native son T.J. Waldburger has no plans of being used as a stepping stone by Dennis Hallman. Already an eighteen-fight veteran at the ripe old age of twenty-two, the Grappler’s Lair product earned this fight after besting David Mitchell in his debut at UFC Fight Night: Marquardt vs. Palhares. Astute fans may know these “Fight Night” events best as a breeding ground used by the UFC to cultivate up-and-coming talent. Waldburger will look to capitalize on that by notching his fifth win in a row as kryptonite to the older “Superman.”
In addition to this bout, UFC Fight Night 24 is rumored to be headlined by a lightweight bout featuring Antônio Rogério Nogueira taking on Tito Ortiz. Other unconfirmed bouts at this time include Dan Hardy versus Anthony Johnson, “Bruce Leeroy” Alex Caceres against Mackens Semerzier, and a highly-anticipated rematch featuring another Texan, Leonard Garcia, taking on ‘Ultimate Fighter’ vet Nam Phan.