The injury bug strikes again, and another Jungle Fight champion will have his first opportunity in the UFC.
Kenny Robertson, who was set to fight Joao Zeferino at Brazil’s UFC Fight Night 28 on Sept. 4, was pulled from the card with an injury, and Elias Silverio will step up on short notice to meet the fellow Brazilian.
Tatame first reported Robertson’s injury, and Combate reported Silverio as a replacement.
One day after Kevin Souza stepped in to replace Sam Sicilia against Felipe Arantes, Silverio got the call from the UFC to make his Octagon debut.
Undefeated in MMA after eight fights, Silverio last fought in May when he defeated Julio Orgulho at Jungle Fight 52 via unanimous decision.
Zeferino, 27, got his first opportunity in the UFC to replace Chris Camozzi at UFC on FX 8 in Brazil, losing to Rafael Natal by unanimous decision.
UFC Fight Night 28 takes place in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, and is headlined by Glover Teixeira vs. Ryan Bader. Former middleweight title contender Yushin Okami faces Ronaldo Jacare in the co-main event.