Riddle Assigned to Newcomer Benoist for UFC Fight Night 25

UFC officials announced Monday that Riddle (Pictured) and Benoist have verbally agreed to meet at the event, which takes place Sept. 17 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

The show’s Spike TV-broadcast main card, alternately titled “Battle on the Bayou,” will be headlined by a 170-pound showdown of welterweight contenders Jake Shields and Jake Ellenberger.

An accomplished high school wrestler, Riddle has spent the entirety of his MMA career inside the Octagon. The 25-year-old Pennsylvania native ran off three consecutive decision victories following his “TUF 7” stint, before suffering his first loss at the hands of Nick Osipczak in November 2009. Riddle rebounded with back-to-back wins, but was dealt a December decision defeat by Canadian veteran Sean Pierson in his most recent outing.

Benoist, 22, inked a four-fight deal with the UFC in June. The Missouri native is unbeaten in his young professional campaign with four submissions and one knockout win, none of which have left the first round.