Brad Imes to vie for IFL heavyweight belt on May 16

The Ultimate Fighter 2 runner-up Brad Imes will step up to face champion Roy Nelson in an IFL heavyweight title bout on May 16 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Imes (11-4), who entered the picture when Nelson's original opponent Branden Lee Hinkle pulled out due to injury, will be making his IFL debut. The Miletich Fighting Systems product has won six out of his last seven bouts since exiting the UFC after a loss to Heath Herring. As a heavyweight who stands at six-feet-seven, Imes has opened eyes by finishing two of those six wins by gogoplata submission.

Since the departure of Ben Rothwell, Nelson (12-2) has emerged as the face of the heavyweight division in the IFL. The 32-year-old is 5-1 in the IFL, with his sole loss a split decision to Rothwell.