UFC Newcomers boost Silva vs Irvin Undercard on July 19th

By Thomas Gerbasi

The UFC will get an injection of new blood on Saturday, July 19th, as six newcomers will get their first shot at glory in the Octagon when they face off against each other in preliminary bouts on the Anderson Silva vs James Irvin card at The Palms in Las Vegas.

Heading up the undercard lineup is a welterweight matchup between veterans Rory Markham and Brodie Farber.

Markham (15-4), a recent one round winner over Jay Ellis on June 14th, comes to the Octagon with a wealth of experience, including wins in six out of eight fights in the IFL over the likes of Mike Pyle, Keith Wisinewski and Pat Healy. Now the Chicago native and Team MFS member will test himself in the UFC.

“I would be lying if I said that this isn't the biggest stage in the world,” said Markham. “On this stage my idols will become my peers and for that I am grateful.”

The North County Fight Club’s Farber (13-3) is a submission specialist who hasn’t been to a decision since 2004. And given the fact that Markham has never been three full rounds in his career, the 27-year old Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt is looking forward to what should be a memorable fight.

“He (Markham) is a good fighter and the perfect opponent to make an exciting fight for both of us,” said Farber.

In other welterweight action, Des Moines, Iowa’s James Giboo and Los Angeles’ ‘Bad’ Brad Blackburn will make their UFC debuts.

The 30-year old Giboo (11-2) got his start training with UFC vet Josh Neer, and since his pro debut in 2004, he has made his own name with an aggressive attack that has ended all of his fights in the first or second round by submission or TKO. Not too bad for a school teacher with six college degrees and who is currently working on his Masters in Education Administration.

12-9-1 with 1 no contest as a pro, Blackburn may have the most deceptive record in MMA today. Another IFL veteran, who went 4-2, with 1 no contest in the organization and who holds wins over UFC vets Chris Wilson and Jay Hieron, Blackburn is coming off a knockout of Delson Heleno in April, and he wants to prove he belongs in the UFC.

“For me, fighting in the UFC is the pinnacle of MMA,” he said. “Step one is getting here. So now I’m on step two, which is securing my spot here.”

Also officially added to the July 19th show this week is a lightweight bout between Dale Hartt and Shannon Gugerty.

Unbeaten in five fights, Herman, Maine’s Hartt has finished each of those fights, not surprising considering that he trains with UFC welterweight contender Marcus ‘The Irish Hand Grenade’ Davis. In Gugerty (10-2), Hartt will be facing a Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt who has had some solid teaching as well from middleweight standout Dean Lister, but who also owns five wins without a loss in Muay Thai competition, making this bout an interesting clash of styles.

Silva vs Irvin, which also features the light heavyweight debut of Brandon ‘The Truth’ Vera against Reese Andy and a high-impact lightweight clash between Frankie Edgar and Hermes Franca, will be televised live on Spike TV beginning at 9pm ET / 6pm PT. Tickets are on sale now.