Fil-Am fighter joins UFC Manila

FILIPINO-American Philippe Nover returns to the Octagon after five years and takes on Yui Chul Nam in the first ever Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event here in the Philippines on May 16 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The 31-year-old Nover last fought in 2010 and was dropped from the organiza- tion’s roster after his third straight defeat. He bounced from different organizations like Bellator FC, Hoosier FC, Dakota FC and ROC before finding his way back into the UFC.

Nover went 5-2 in his post-UFC stint.

Nover is the finalist of the eighth season of UFC’s popular reality show Ultimate Fighter. He lost in the finals to Efrain Escudero by unanimous decision in 2008.

The 33-year-old Nam made a successful UFC debut last year, beating Kazuki Tukodome by split decision. The South Korean former Road FC lightweight champion has won five straight fights.

Nover is 10-5-1, while Nam is 18-4-1.