Lambert-Gouveia and three more bouts added to UFC 80: Rapid Fire

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By Thomas Gerbasi

UFC 76’s loss was apparently UFC 80’s gain, as the previously scrapped light heavyweight battle between Wilson Gouveia and Jason “The Punisher” Lambert will now take place in Newcastle, England on January 19th, with the winner undoubtedly moving closer to his dream of a shot at 205-pound boss Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson.

“Gouveia has had success in the cage,” said Lambert, 23-6, “but he has not felt the pressure that I bring.”

A 30-year old native of Long Beach, California, Lambert has won four of his five UFC outings, including a second round knockout of Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral in his last bout at UFC 68 in March. In Gouveia (9-4), who was forced to withdraw from his September bout with Lambert due to injury, ‘The Punisher’ will take on one of American Top Team’s finest, who bounced back from a debut loss in the UFC to win three in a row in the Octagon, all by submission.

UFC 80: Rapid Fire, which will take place at the Metro Radio Arena, is headlined by the interim UFC Lightweight Championship bout between BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson, and the heavyweight showdown between Brazilian rivals Fabricio Werdum and Gabriel Gonzaga.

Also officially signed and added to the UFC’s first big show of 2008 are three bouts featuring a mix of local talent, established contenders, and rising stars.

In a light heavyweight matchup, Italy’s hard-hitting Alessio Sakara will look to rebound from his September loss to Houston Alexander when he squares off against UFC debutant James Lee, a Michigan product who is unbeaten in his last 11 bouts.

Exciting Canadian lightweight Sam Stout will return to the Octagon for the first time since his Fight of The Year candidate with Spencer Fisher in June when he tackles UFC newcomer, Swedish standout Per Eklund.

And UK fans will have plenty to cheer about on January 19th when unbeaten Paul Kelly, a stablemate of light heavyweight contender Michael Bisping, fights for local bragging rights in a welterweight bout against Walsall’s ‘Relentless’ Paul Taylor.

Tickets for UFC 80: Rapid Fire, are on sale now.

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