The UFC’s big card in Boston took a bit of a hit Wednesday.
Jorge Masvidal had to pull out of his scheduled lightweight fight with Norman Parke at UFC Fight Night 59: McGregor vs. Siver on Jan. 18 due to a back injury, the UFC announced. In Masvidal’s place will step his American Top Team training partner Gleison Tibau.
Tibau (30-10), one of the most active and tenured fighters in the UFC, has won four of his last five bouts and is coming off a split decision victory over Piotr Hallmann in September. The Brazilian is 31 years old, but seems to be the best he has ever been right now, using his wrestling and clinch game to suffocate opponents.
He’ll present a tough challenge for Parke (20-2-1), a solid prospect from Northern Ireland. Parke is unbeaten in his last 11 fights and is coming off a second-round knockout of Naoyuki Kotani in July.
The UFC Fight Night 59 main event is scheduled to be Conor McGregor taking on Dennis Siver. Benson Henderson vs. Eddie Alvarez is slated as the co-main event. The card will air on FOX Sports 1 following the NFC Championship game on FOX.