UFC lightweight Myles “Fury” Jury has suffered an undisclosed injury, forcing him out of his scheduled clash with Edson Barboza at UFC on Fox 16 in Chicago.
Stepping up in Jury’s place at the July 25 event is two-fight UFC veteran Paul “The Irish Dragon” Felder.
Fox Sports’ Damon Martin confirmed the news with UFC officials Tuesday after an initial report from MMASucka.com went out late Monday evening.
With this recent switch-up, the UFC on Fox 16 main card lightweight tilt has received a total facelift. Originally, Jury was supposed to face former UFC lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis at the event, but Showtime suffered an elbow injury that forced him out.
Barboza then stepped in, but he will now face Felder, not Jury, when the lights go down in Chicago.
Thankfully for fight fans, this is still an intriguing matchup between two dynamic and explosive strikers, and the fight itself should be every bit as good as either of the previously scheduled showdowns would have been.
Felder, an undefeated professional fighter who trains alongside Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at the BMF Ranch, is coming off a highlight-reel spinning backfist knockout of Danny Castillo at UFC 182. With this win, Felder generated significant hype, and his stock skyrocketed, netting him an opportunity against the No. 7-ranked Barboza.
Currently, Felder is unranked in the UFC’s 155-pound division, but a win over Barboza will put him right in the mix in the ever-deepening class.
Barboza, meanwhile, is coming off a unanimous-decision loss to Michael Johnson at UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir in February.
Prior to that, the Brazilian striker won two straight, including a devastating TKO of Evan Dunham at UFC Fight Night 45 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Now matched against Felder, Barboza will have the chance to showcase his lethal striking attack against a game and hungry fighter, making this an early contender for Fight of the Night honors.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for news of Jury’s injury and a timetable for his return.
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