Lance Benoist – image via HeartLandFight.com
With Dan Miller withdrawing from next months UFC 152 event because of his son’s kidney transplant surgery, Ultimate Fighting Championship officials were on the hunt for a new opponent to face Canadian Sean ‘The Punisher’ Pierson (12-6).
Officials with the UFC named Lance Benoist (6-1) as Miller’s replacement on Friday night, with the Missouri fighter stepping up on a months notice.
UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort is expected to take place on September 22, 2012 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada.
Benoist fought this past June at UFC on FX 3, losing a split decision to Seth Baczynski on the Florida card. It ended Benoist’s undefeated streak at six matches, which includes winning his Octagon debut at UFN 25. At the Fight Night event, the Missouri fighter won a unanimous decision over Matt Riddle, in a bout that earned both men the “Fight of the Night” bonus.
Pierson is 1-2 in his last three, ending a two-fight losing skid by winning a decision victory over Jake Hecht in Florida at UFC on FX 3. The Canadian is now .500 in the Octagon, with a loss to Dong-Hyun Kim at UFC 141 and a knockout defeat versus Jake Ellenberger at UFC 129. Pierson won his debut over Matt Riddle by decision at UFC 124.