(Photo Costantinos Philippou via Sherdog.com)
UFC middleweight Nick Catone (8-2) had been scheduled to meet Dan Miller on the preliminary card of next weekends UFC 128 card, but a change to that card had Miller moving up to face Nate Marquardt on the pay-per-view card. Miller was tagged as a replacement for Yoshihiro Akiyama who withdrew from the match because of the recent earthquake which has devastated parts of Japan.
Catone now meets UFC newcomer Costantinos Philippou (7-1) on the preliminary card in a catchweight bout.
“7-1 New Yorker Costantinos Philippou has verbally agreed to step in and fight New Jersey’s Nick Catone in a 195 catchweight fight,” said UFC president Dana White.
Catone is 1-2 in his last three matches and is 2-2 in the UFC. The fighter only made one octagon appearance in 2010 despite being booked for three bouts. Catone was forced out of a UFC 113 bout because of a back injury, and had to withdraw again from UFC Fight Night 22 because of injury also. His only fight of 201 was against Jesse Forbes at UFC Fight Night 20, where he won a split decision. The two straight losses were to Mark Munoz at UFC 102 and to Tim Credeur at UFC Fight Night 18.
Philippou brings a seven fight win streak into the octagon for his UFC debut, having fought exclusively for the Ring of Combat promotion for his professional career. The fighter made a short appearance on “The Ultimate Fighter” season 11, but failed to earn his way into the “TUF” house after a defeat to Joseph Henle in the opening elimination round. Philippou took his last fight in February, earning a majority decision against opponent Uriah Hall.
UFC 128 will take place in one week on March 19 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.