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BY MICHAEL HAYAKAWA mth aha“ and“ 1mg mm Scan Pierson is dis‘appoimcd he won't be entering the (x‘tagou to fight in today's UPC l58 card in Montreal due to precautionary medical masons. In announcing some matches for the first-ever UPC card to be held in Winnipeg as a pan of UFC 161. Pierson was included as one of the (nmbatams fot the lune l5 event. the UPC annOunced Wednesday. But the 36~yearuld Slouffvme resident received another oppor- tunity to Showcase his mixed mar- tial ans skills by the UFO. Pierson is scheduled to take on T] Waldburger in a welterweight match that will be pan of an undercard featuring Mauricio Rua against Antonio Rogerio Noguei- Ia and Dan Henderson against Rashad Evans. (metal! record and is 4-2 in UFC. For Pierson. who has a 13-6 overall mixed martial arts record and is 3-2 in URI matches. the opportunity to resume his UH: A native of Temple. Texas. the 24-year-old Waldburger has a 16-7 Pierson on Wmnipeg’s inaugural UFC card { View new flyers from your favourite retailers now at:} LOVE GREAT DEALS? gflyerlandsa' career and to do it north of the 49th paraltel has him psyched up. “It‘s a stacked card and I'm super excited to be a pan of it.’ Piersnn :aid nf UFF lfil “I stilt got to fight in Canada. lt's paniy my home because I like to fight for the Canadian fans and I've received a lot of support here (in prior fights noncommme 158W bimdbaareasms, "I started my UFC carom in Montreal and it's always my home away from home. But to fight in Canada I'm happy. It will be Win- nipeg's first (UPC card and I'm sure lhem will be a lot of farm" in Tomnlo and Montreal). Having watched Waldburger fight on TV. Pierson acknowledged he presents a major challenge. uuvI-uoua vuâ€" on-.. "uuuo‘l fight on TV. Pierson acknowled he presents a major challenge. Especially” since Waldburger's style of grappling is in stark 'con- tras! to his and he's coming off a win in his most recent UFC match in [as Vegas Dec. IS via submis~ sion. 1112 key. he said. will be in who- ever can dictate their game plan. ‘I try 10 remain positive. I didn't make tho card (UFC [58) butfirst and foremost it's about my health. [how a mfe mid son and I'm soon to be 37 years old.’ “He's definitely going to be a tough opponent. He’s a grappk’r. his strength is on the/ ground and he's a submisSion guy." Pierson said in describing Waldburger; "A lot of my fights are standing.“ While Pierson won't be in the octagon for today’s UPC 158 card. he will be among those in the Bell Centre offering his support to fellow Canadian and UFC wel- terweight champion Georges St. Pierre in his main event match against Nick Diaz. Just a few of our Featured Advertisers metro .OOOI V... C... Yul-fin: SHOPPER. > _ 0).! :u MAO! ' “[0496? SLIM”! IE At the same lime. he will do some promotional work for the UN: 16! card. To watch the action from the stands. he conceded. will be tough. M Fspbcially in seeing his replace- ment. Quinn Mulhem. fighting his scheduled opponent. Rick Story. “It's iust one of those things." Pierson said. “I try to remain posi- tiVe. I didn‘t make the card (UH: 158) but first and foremost ifs about my health. I have a wife and son and I'm soon to be 37 years old. “Right now I'm having fun and I'm enjoying my time in the U HI." A'MOI'NUUI an save.ch MMMMHHM! rowwmommmwnmm mummwthesamegteet mummde asMocmtms.calustoday' 'Solochdamsomy ~' (SUE-Tribune visit flyerland.ca \ O