News & Observer | newsobserver.com | 2008 NCAA Men's Bracket

Spike TV will air a live, three-hour telecast of mixed martial arts in conjunction with The Ultimate Fighting Championship at 9 p.m. Dec. 10 from Fayetteville's Crown Coliseum. "UFC Fight For The Troops" is intended to raise money for the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which is funding a research facility in Bethseda, Md., dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of military personnel and veterans suffering from traumatic brain injury and psychological health issues.

The card will feature “The Ultimate Fighter” alumni Josh Koscheck, Mike Swick, and Matt Wiman, as well as five UFC fighters who are U.S. military veterans — Luigi Fioravanti, Tim Credeur, Dale Hartt, Brandon Wolff, and Steve Bruno. An additional fight will be announced at a later date.

“The Ultimate Fighter 1” standout Koscheck (13-3) has won seven of his last nine decisions, losing to current welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre in a three-round decision last August at UFC 74, and Thiago Alves at UFC 90 in Chicago. Koscheck will fight Tokyo native Yoshiyuki “Zenko” Yoshida (10-2), who has won nine straight pro MMA fights.

Swick (12-2), fighting out of San Jose, Calif., has won seven of his last eight bouts in the Octagon, and will face Jonathan Goulet (22-9).

“The Ultimate Fighter 5” standout Matt Wiman (10-3), a native of Tulsa, Okla., has won four straight contests, including a second-round knockout of Thiago Tavares at UFC 85 in June. He'll fight Frankie Edgar of New Jersey, a lightweight with a 9-1 record.

On the undercard, two fighters will make their UFC Octagon debuts. Steve Cantwell, 22, who holds the WEC light heavyweight title, will face Razak Al-Hussan, who's won all five of his pro fights. Cantwell won the belt in August with a second-round TKO of Brian Stann.