UFC featherweight Dustin ‘The Diamond’ Poirier (11-1) has his third opponent for the upcoming UFC 143 event as Max ‘Lil Evil’ Holloway (4-0) steps in as a replacement for an injured Ricardo Lamas. Lamas replaced Erik Koch who also pulled out due to injury.
The news that Holloway would be replacing Lamas was first reported by MMAWeekly.com on Thursday, they confirmed the replacement with sources close to the fight.
UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit is scheduled to take place on February 4, 2012 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Holloway is just four bouts into his pro-mma career, with four wins and a split decision win over longtime veteran Harris Sarmiento at an X-1 event in March to win that promotions lightweight title. ‘Lil Evil’ has one win by KO, and three by decision since becoming a pro in 2010.
Poirier has won four straight including all three of his Octagon appearances, which most recently includes a submission win against Pablo Garza last November at the UFC on FOX 1 event. ‘The Diamond’s’ other two victories in the UFC include decision wins against Jason Young at UFC 131 and Josh Grispi at UFC 125. Poirier dropped to featherweight for his UFC debut after fighting as a lightweight in the WEC.