An injury to UFC featherweight Mike ‘The Hulk’ Easton (12-1) has forced the former UWC bantamweight champion out of an upcoming May bout against Yves ‘Tiger’ Jabouin (17-7).
Jabouin will now face Jeff ‘Hellbound’ Hougland (10-4) at the UFC on FUEL TV 3 event.
Hougland’s original opponent, Renan Barão (28-1, 1NC) has a new opponent too and is set to square off against Ivan ‘The Pride of El Salvador’ Menjivar in a No. 1 contender bout for the 135-lbs title at UFC 148.
News of the changes was first reported by Joe Ferraro on Twitter (@ShowdownJoe) on Friday.
– Easton (injured) replaced by Houghland vs Jabouin. Menjivar (replaces Houghland) vs Barao in potential #1 Bw contender bout. Article coming
Jabouin and Hougland will meet at UFC on FUEL TV 3 (aka UFC on FUEL TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier) which is scheduled for May 15, 2012 at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia.
Jabouin has won two straight, earning split decisions over Walel Watson at UFC 140 and against Ian Loveland at UFC 134 in Jabouin’s bantamweight debut. His opponent, Hougland debuted with the UFC last summer at UFC 132, earning his ninth straight win by defeating Donny Walker with a unanimous decision.
While Barão and Menjivar will meet at UFC 148 which is expected to take place on July 7, 2012 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Barão owns one of the longest undefeated streaks in MMA history going earning twenty-eight wins with one “No Contest”. He earned a decision over Scott Jorgensen last month at UFC 143. Menjivar has won three in a row, earning a submission victory over John Albert at UFC on FUEL TV 1 on February 15.