After a recent money-laundering conviction prompted a “suspension” (contract freeze) from the organization, Chael Sonnen has been replaced by Nate Marquardt, who now meets Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 128.
MMAjunkie.com first passed along news of the Sonnen-Akiyama booking earlier this week, but the federal charges forced its cancellation.
But sources told MMAjunkie.com Marquardt has verbally agreed to step in for Sonnen. ESPN.com first reported the bout.