Laureano Staropoli vs. Zelim Imadaev Added to UFC 252

Mandatory Credit: Jason da Silva - USA TODAY Sports & MMA Junkie

A welterweight pairing between division upstart, Laureano 'El Matador' Staropoli and dangerous striker, Zelim Imadaev is set to feature at UFC 252 on August 15th. - with a venue or location yet to be disclosed by the promotion.

Argentine striker, Staropoli is attempting to rebound from his first promotional defeat, following a unanimous decision loss to Muslim Salikhov at UFC Fight Night Kallang last October. Also attempting to return to the win column, former Fight Nights Global feature, Imadaev is looking to get off the mark under the UFC banner, following a late second-round knockout to Danny 'Hot Chocolate' Roberts back in November at UFC Fight Night Moscow. News of the pairing was first reported by TASS reporter, Igor Lazorin.

Buenos Aires native, Staropoli arrived in the promotion back in November of 2018, quickly finding his feet with wins over Hector Aldana, before a statement win over one-time welterweight title challenger, Thiago 'Pitbull' Alves at UFC 237. His aforementioned loss to Salikhov marked the 27-year-old's first falter in eight matches. Prior to the defeat, Staropoli was scheduled to meet with the then-undefeated, Alexey Kunchenko at UFC Fight Night Montevideo last August, until a broken nose forced his withdrawal. In his place - stepped UFC 251 headliner, welterweight title challenger, Gilbert Burns.

25-year-old prospect, Imadaev is yet to break his UFC duct, dropping a majority decision to Max 'Pain' Griffin back at UFC 236 in Atlanta in his Octagon bow. The defeat marked the Russian's first in his ten fight career, following a three-fight stint in Fight Nights Global, where he lodged three consecutive finishes to boot. Finishes are something Imadaev has become accustomed to; from his eight successful walks, he's managed a stoppage in each and every one.