Bantamweight prospect T.J. Dillashaw (7-1) became the third UFC 158 victor to join the card of UFC on FOX 7 as an injury fill-in, replacing the sidelined Francisco Rivera (9-2) against Hugo Viana (7-0) on the night’s preliminary card.
UFC officials announced the change on Friday. Previously, Darren Elkins replaced Clay Guida and Jordan Mein replaced Dan Hardy on the spring fight card.
UFC on FOX 7 takes place April 20 at HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA. A lightweight title unification bout pitting UFC champion Ben Henderson against Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez headlines the event.
Dillashaw, a finalist on TUF 14, has rolled to three straight victories since losing to John Dodson in the show’s finale. The 27-year-old Team Alpha Male product edged Walel Watson via decision, before submitting Vaughan Lee and most recently knocking out Issei Tamura.
Meanwhile, the undefeated Viana is a perfect 2-0 since losing to Rony Bezerra in an exhibition match for the semi-finals of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil. Viana edged TUF: Brazil castmate John Teixeira then knocked out Reuben Duran last December in his bantamweight debut.