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Simpson to meet Fitch in welterweight debut

Aaron Simpson will drop down to welterweight and face Jon Fitch on a July UFC card

Aaron Simpson has decided to test the waters at 170 pounds.

The former middleweight will drop down to welterweight later on this year and face Jon Fitch on a July UFC card, sources close to the fight have confirmed with NBCSports.com. All signs point to the fight airing on a July FUEL or FX card, not a pay-per-view.

MMAWeekly.com first reported the news.

The 37-year-old Simpson (11-3) recently snapped a three-fight winning streak when he lost a split decision to Ronny Markes in February. Prior to that loss, Simpson had defeated the likes of Mario Miranda, Brad Tavares and Eric Schafer. Simpson had been hinting at a move down to 170, and it appears as though the Markes fight sealed his decision.

Fitch (23-4-1) hasn't won a fight since Aug. 2010 when he defeated Thiago Alves via unanimous decision. He fought to a draw with BJ Penn at UFC 127 in Feb. 2011, and then after recovering from shoulder surgery, was knocked out by Johny Hendricks in just 12 seconds at UFC 140 in December.

The Simpson-Fitch tilt will showcase two of the best wrestlers in MMA, which could equal a fun a stand-up fight.


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