A knee injury to ‘Handsome’ Matt Wiman (14-6) has forced the lightweight out of an upcoming UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans bout versus Canadian fighter Mark Bocek (10-4). Replacing Wiman will be ‘The Natural’ John Alessio (34-14) who makes his return to the Octagon after a three year absence.
News of the opponent change was announced by Bocek who informed the world via Twitter (@MarkBocek) on Tuesday afternoon.
– Hey guys, my new opponent @ #ufc145 is John Allesio, Wiman is out with a knee injury. #mma
No official announcement has been made by the promotion, but the two will likely face off as part of the televised FX prelim card.
UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans will take place on April 21, 2012 at the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.
Bocek has traded wins for losses in his last four matches, picking up a unanimous decision victory over Nik Lentz at UFC 140 last December. The win followed a decision loss to now UFC champion Ben Henderson last April at UFC 129. Bocek’s overall record in the Octagon is 6-4 with losses to such notables as Frankie Edgar, Jim Miller, and Henderson.
Alessio trains out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas and is 10-1 in his last eleven, winning his last three straight matches. ‘The Natural’ fought last month at a Score Fighting Series show, defeating Ryan Healy via decision in the main event of the Hamilton, Ontario show. Alessio has made three appearances in the Octagon over his career, losing all three matches with the most recent defeat coming in October 2006 to Thiago Alves.