Chris Camozzi
An injury to UFC middleweight Costa Philippou (12-2, 1NC) has forced the Cypriot off of this months upcoming UFC on FX 8 event.
Stepping in will be Chris Camozzi (19-5) who had been scheduled to face Rafael ‘Sapo’ Natal (15-4-1).
Camozzi will now face former Strikeforce champ Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza (17-3, 1NC), while Natal takes on newcomer Joao ‘The Brazilian Samurai’ Zeferino (13-4).
The promotion announced the change on Twitter (@UFC) on Friday.
FX 8 news: Costa Philippou injured, Jacaré now faces @ChrisCamozzi; Camozzi’s original opponent @rafaelsaponatal now vs João – Zeferino.
UFC on FX: Belfort vs. Rockhold (aka UFC on FX 8) is scheduled to take place on May 18, 2013 at the Arena Jaraguá in Jaraguá do Sul, Brazil. The event will see former UFC champ Vitor Belfort welcome the last Strikeforce middleweight title holder, Luke Rockhold, to the Octagon.
Camozzi has won four in a row making a short turn-around between bouts having picked up a split decision over Nick Ring in Montreal at UFC 158. Camozzi’s three prior wins include a decision against Luiz Cane at UFC 153, a TKO stoppage against Nick Catone at UFC on FX 4 and a submission over Dustin Jacoby at UFC on FOX 2.
Souza carries a three fight win streak into his Octagon debut. ‘Jacare’ fought in a 194-lbs catchweight fight at the final Strikeforce event this past January competing against UFC crossover Ed Herman. Souza earned a first round submission at the Oklahoma City event.
Natal is 3-1 in his last four submitting opponent Sean Spencer last January at the UFC on FOX 6 show while suffering a knockout loss to Andrew Craig at UFC on FUEL TV 4. The two other wins came by decision at UFC 143 versus Michael Kuiper and at UFC 133 against Paul Bradley.
Zeferino has won seven straight with his most recent victory taking place in March at a Nitrix Champion Fight 14 show. ‘The Brazilian Samurai’ has earned 9 wins by submission, one by TKO and three by decision.