Urijah Faber won’t be competing in Brazil anymore on March 21.
Faber was pulled from the UFC Fight Night 62 main event since Raphael Assuncao didn’t recover from an ankle injury and the promotion couldn’t find a replacement.
Demian Maia and Ryan LaFlare, originally set to battle in the co-main event, will now headlined the card. MMAFighting.com confirmed the news with sources close to the situation.
Maia (19-6), a former UFC middleweight title contender, has won four of six since cutting down to 170 pounds in 2012. The Brazilian grappler, who headlined two events throughout his UFC career, hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision victory over Alexander Yakovlev in May.
LaFlare (11-0), an undefeated welterweight from Blackzilians, is 4-0 under the UFC banner. The welterweight prospect fought in Brazil in 2013, defeating TUF: Brazil veteran Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFN 32. Since then, LaFlare defeated Court McGee and John Howard.
UFC Fight Night 62 takes place at the Maracanazinho gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro.
Demian Maia vs. Ryan LaFlare
Josh Thomson vs. Gilbert Burns
Ben Saunders vs. Erick Silva
Matt Wiman vs. Leonardo Santos
Cain Carrizosa vs. Leonardo Mafra Teixeira
Drew Dober vs.Leandro Silva
Francisco Trinaldo vs.Akbarh Arreola
Amanda Nunes vs. Shayna Baszler
Godofredo Pepey vs. Andre Fili