Soa Palelei Makes Quick Turnaround To Face Jared Rosholt At UFC Fight Night 43 In New Zealand

After notching his eleventh straight win with an impressive first round knockout of Ruan Potts at last Saturday’s (May 10, 2014) UFC Fight Night 40 from Cincinnati, Ohio, surging heavyweight Soa Palelei is eager to continue proving his worth in the Octagon.

That’s why “The Hulk” has signed on for an incredibly quick turnaround to face Jared Rosholt at June 28’s UFC Fight Night 43 from the Vector Arena in Auckland, New Zealand.

The fight was first reported by The New Zealand Herald and later confirmed. It’s no surprise, as the card will go down close to Palelei’s home in Australia.

The power- striking “Hulk” has made the most of his return to the UFC after failing in a single fight in 2007, finishing Nikita Krylov, Pat Barry, and Potts in rapid succession. He showed up on the Top 15 for the first time yesterday, occupying the bottom spot.

Meanwhile, three-time NCAA All-American wrestler Rosholt has quietly racked up a win streak of his own, decisioning Daniel Omielanczuk at April’s UFC Fight Night 39 in Abu Dhabi after defeating Walt Harris at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 18 Finale. He’s won six straight bouts overall, but hasn’t faced a striker with anything even close to Palelei’s thunderous knockout power.

Palelei’s wrestling also looked solid against former EFC Africa champion Potts. However, he’s never faced a wrestler the caliber of Rosholt, who owns the record for most heavyweight wins in Oklahoma State wrestling history, no small feat in itself.

Those dynamics add for an incredibly interesting match-up at UFC Fight Night 43, which will air completely on Fight Pass and features a Nate Marquardt vs. James Te Huna middleweight headliner.

Will Rosholt’s grinding style hold the key to defeating “The Hulk,” or will he end up just another victim on the green monster’s growing list?

Photo: Joseph Malorana for USA TODAY Sports