Yahya (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

After dropping a split decision loss to featherweight Tom Niinimaki  in November, Rani Yahya has reportedly decided to drop to 135 pounds and will fight Johnny Bedford next. Yahya has competed as a bantamweight before, including several fights with the WEC, where he went 4-3.

The bout will be part of UFC Fight Night 39, which will take place in Abu Dhabi on April 11th. News of Yahya’s return to 135 and the Bedford match-up is being reported by MMA Fighting.com.

Prior to facing Niinimaki, Yahya (19-8) had won three straight in the Octagon, and the noted grappler is 3-2 in his last 5 contests.

Bedford (19-10) will be competing for the first time since he was tapped out by Bryan Caraway at UFC 159 last April, which ended the TUF vet’s three fight win streak.

UFC FN 39 will feature a heavyweight bout between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Roy Nelson in the main event.