Just a day after fearing he would be removed from Sunday’s UFC Fight Night 83 card, Cody Garbrandt has a new opponent.
Officials announced on Tuesday that the unbeaten bantamweight will take on Augusto Mendes from Pittsburgh and the Consol Energy Center. The main card, which Garbrandt-Mendes will be part of, airs live on FOX Sports 1.
Originally, Garbrandt (7-0) was set to meet John Lineker in a key 135-pound contest. However, Lineker was forced out after coming down with an illness.
“New opponent, same outcome!” Garbrandt posted on Twitter after news of the fight announcement. “This one is for my fans!!”
Now, he will take on Mendes (5-0), who will be making his official UFC debut after scoring five finishes on the regional tour.
UFC Fight Night 83 features a main event between Donald Cerrone and Alex Oliveira, along with Derek Brunson vs. Roan Carneiro.