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WA 'Hulk' to face Pole in Sydney UFC clash

Soa "The Hulk" Palelei. Pic: Getty Images

Perth heavyweight Soa "The Hulk" Palelei will feature on the main card of the UFC's return to Australia later this year.

Palelei announced today he will clash with Polish Muay Thai champion Daniel Omielanczuk at UFC Fight Night 55 in Sydney on November 8.

The event will be held at the 21,000-seat Allphones Arena.

The UFC last came to Australia in December 2013, when Palelei (21-4) stopped US veteran Pat Barry in the first round.

Since then, the 37-year-old has gone 1-1, most recently suffering a decision loss at the hands of US collegiate wrestler Jared Rosholt in June.

Omielanczuk (16-4-1) also lost to Rosholt in his most recent fight in April - his second in the UFC.

The 32-year-old from Sokolow Podlaski has nine wins by submission, five by decision and two by knockout.

He has never been stopped.

He entered the UFC on an 11-fight win streak in 2012, scoring an emphatic knockout victory over Nandor Guelmino on debut.

Palelei is taller and heavier than Omielanczuk, who will head into the bout as the underdog.

The Hulk has compiled a 13-2 record in the past five years, with both losses coming against world class wrestlers.

If he can get Omielanczuk to the ground, his Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills and sheer power could earn him another dominant stoppage victory.

Palelei is 3-1 since returning to the UFC last year.

UFC president Dana White is reportedly targeting Cuban-Australian Hector Lombard to headline the Sydney event.

Lombard, 36, is the sixth-ranked welterweight in the UFC.

Australian young guns Robert Whittaker (12-4) and Jake Matthews (6-0) are also tipped to feature on the card.