With Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight mainstay Evan Dunham pulling out of his bout with James Vick, who was filling in for an injured Leonardo Santos, at UFC 199 on June 4 in Inglewood, California, “The Texecutioner” needs a new opponent.
Luckily for the undefeated 29-year-old prospect, budding Lightweight contender Beneil Dariush will step in on short notice, per a recent report by MMA Fighting.
Dariush (12-2) was recently upset by former TUF winner Michael Chiesa back at UFC on FOX 19, losing by second-round submission. At just 27 years of age, the Iranian will look to regain momentum within the 155-pound division by knocking off another surging TUF alum.
As for Vick (9-0), this is the jump up in competition that he’s been looking for. Currently undefeated in the promotion at 5-0, the Texas native has looked exponentially better every time he steps inside of the Octagon. His most recent victory came at UFC 197 when he dismantled Glaico Franca with splendid striking.
UFC 199 will be headlined by a Middleweight title rematch between champion Luke Rockhold and former divisional kingpin Chris Weidman. The co-main event will feature a trilogy fight between Bantamweight titleholder Dominick Cruz and perennial top contender Urijah Faber.