Leonard Garcia returns to the UFC December 4. against Tyler Toner

When UFC President Dana White announced earlier this week that the WEC has officially merged with it’s sister promotion, rumors ran rampant as far as when we would be able to see first some of the WEC’s finest in action.

The big boss suggested that Jose Aldo defending his featherweight title against recently announced number one contender Josh Grispi at UFC 125 in January would be the first sign where we would be able to see WEC stars in action, and no sooner.

Well Dana, you were wrong, and I’m dam happy about it.

MMAWeekly.com has reported that an exciting match up pitting former 145-pound title challenger Leonard Garcia and fellow slugger Tyler Toner will take place on December 4, at the season finale of “The Ultimate Fighter 12″. The event is scheduled to take place at the Palms Casino Resort, in Las Vegas, Nev.

Garcia is no stranger to the UFC. He initially made his debut within the organization at 155-pounds in a memorable fight against former top contender Roger Huerta in 2007. The three-round war made him an instant fan favorite, and though Garcia eventually exited the promotion following a 1-2 run, he made his way to the WEC’s 145-pound weight class. The featherweight slugger has been a force to be reckoned in his division, holding notable victories over the likes of Hiroyuki Takaya, Jens Pulver and Chan Sung Jung.

The bout with Jung has been regarded by many as “The Fight of the Year”, and UFC matchmaker Joe Silva and Joe Rogan hold the bout in especially high regard as “the best fight I’ve seen in my life”, after the culmination of three-rounds filled with knockdowns and explosive punches thrown from bell to bell.

Toner, is all too familiar with Garcia. Tyler trains out of Colorado with the famed Grudge Training Center, headed by top trainer Trevor Wittman. GTC is an academy affiliated with Greg Jackson’s Training Center in Albuquerque, New Mex. Many, if not all, of it’s fighters split their time between Greg’s and Trevor’s schools, so it’s likely that both featherweight’s have crossed paths at one point or another.

Currently both competitors are coming off losses, and will look to get back in the winner circle to remain in the worlds largest organization without fear of receiving a pink slip. Both have a penchant for punching people in the face, so it should be an exciting fight nonetheless, though it has not been announced if in fact the bout will make the televised broadcast.

So, MMA peeps, what do you make of the match up? Sound off in the comment section below.