Undefeated prospect Steven Koslow is in the big leagues.
With Ronnie Lawrence out of UFC 282, Koslow (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will step in to fight Cameron Saaiman (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at the Dec. 10 event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Two people with knowledge of the booking recently informed MMA Junkie of the matchup but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Koslow, 25, is a submission specialist with an aggressive style. All six of his pro fights to date were for Florida-based promotion Combat Night. Koslow has a 100 percent finish rate with only first-round victories.
A beholder of one of the most unique nicknames in MMA, Koslow goes by “Obi Won Shinobi The Pillow.” Koslow explained its origin in an interview with The MMA Report in July.
“Obi Won Shinobi” was Koslow’s nickname of choice to start. “The Pillow” was then given to him for his ability to put people to sleep with submissions, which he’s done approximately 20 times. When a ring announcer used both during an introduction, Koslow decided to use the combination going forward.
“Every time I look at Tapology, I’m pretty proud of it,” Koslow said.
Saaiman, 21, is one of the youngest fighters on the UFC roster. He earned a UFC contract after an impressive knockout of Josh Wang-Kim on Dana White’s Contender Series in August. All but one of Saaiman’s pro victories are finishes.
With the change, the UFC 282 lineup includes:
- Jan Blachowicz vs. Magomed Ankalaev – for vacant light heavyweight title
- Jared Gordon vs. Paddy Pimblett
- Robbie Lawler vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
- Dricus Du Plessis vs. Darren Till
- Bryce Mitchell vs. Ilia Topuria
- Chris Daukaus vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
- Jay Perrin vs. Raul Rosas Jr.
- Dalcha Lungiambula vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
- Ovince Saint Preux vs. Antonio Trocoli
- Joaquin Buckley vs. Chris Curtis
- Alexander Hernandez vs. Billy Quarantillo
- TJ Brown vs. Erik Silva
- Steven Koslow vs. Cameron Saaiman
- Daniel da Silva vs. Vinicius Salvador
