An injury has forced TUF 5 standout Matt Wiman to withdraw from his UFC 145 bout against Mark Bocek.
Stepping in on short notice to face Bocek will be a fellow Canadian, UFC and WEC vet John Alessio. Since his last fight under the Zuffa banner, Alessio has gone 12-3 with three straight since August.
Wonderboy Gets Matt Brown at UFC 145 updated February 11
Two welterweights who scored dramatic knockouts at UFC 143 last week have verbally agreed to make a fast turnaround and face one anther at UFC 145 in Atlanta on April 21.
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson took home the KO of the Night award for his highlight-reel head kick victory in his UFC debut. Later that night TUF 7’s Matt Brown scored a second-round knockout of Chris Cope that he felt deserved the night’s bonus.
“There is a good chance someone will earn a bonus in this fight,” said UFC president Dana White.
Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans Official for ATL updated February 6
The UFC’s spring fight card in Atlanta has its main event, as UFC president Dana White confirmed today that light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will defend his title against former-teammate-turned-rival Rashad Evans, a former beltholder in that division. The heated matchup was expected after Evans handily decisioned then-undefeated Phil Davis at UFC on FOX </a>and was made official today.
Torres vs. McDonald Plus Eight Bouts Confirmed for Atlanta updated Jan 20
Verbal agreements are in for a thrilling battle between bantamweights this spring. “What may be the hottest prospect in the 135-pound division takes on one of the all-time greats when Michael McDonald meets former WEC champion Miguel Torres at UFC 145 in Atlanta,” said UFC president Dana White.
Also at that event, former Strikeforce fighter Maximo Blanco will make his featherweight debut against last season’s Ultimate Fighter contestant Marcus Brimage. Both athletes possess a powerful striking style and have verbally agreed to the bout.
Additionally, seven bouts that had been set to take place on the Montreal fight card have been shifted to the Atlanta event. Verbal agreements remain in place for the following matchups at the new venue:
Rory MacDonald vs. Che Mills – welterweight
Brendan Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell – heavyweight
Mark Bocek vs. Matt Wiman – lightweight
Travis Browne vs. Chad Griggs – heavyweight
John Makdessi vs. Anthony Njokuani – lightweight
Mac Danzig vs. Efrain Escudero – lightweight
Keith Wisniewski vs. Chris Clements – welterweight
A main event is expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Hominick vs. Yagin Re-Set for Atlanta Event updated January 19
The UFC is heading to Hotlanta and the first fight on the card has been announced: featherweight contender Mark Hominick will take on up-and-comer Eddie Yagin. Both fighters had agreed to the bout when it was slated to take place in Montreal; that event has since been shelved.
News of the Atlanta date was originally announced last week on FUEL TV’s UFC Tonight, which airs every Tuesday at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT.