The UFC didn’t officially announce Josh Koscheck as Erick Silva’s new opponent at UFC Fight Night 62, and there’s a reason for that.
Koscheck, who agreed to step in on short notice and replace injured Ben Saunders against Erick Silva in Rio de Janeiro on March 21, is still trying to get his visa to fly to Brazil, and the promotion has a backup plan.
Sources close to the situation told MMAFighting.com that Elizeu Zaleski, a 14-4 welterweight from CM System and current Jungle Fight 170-pound champion, has signed a deal with the promotion and will be ready to fight Silva in case Koscheck can’t fly to Brazil.
Zaleski won four in a row by stoppage. The welterweight prospect only went the distance three times in his professional career.
Headlined by Demian Maia vs. Ryan LaFlare, UFC Fight Night 62 takes place at the Maracanazinho gymnasium.