Gunnar Nelson is still set to return to the Octagon on July 19 as part of UFC Fight Night 46, or UFC Dublin, but he’ll be doing so against a new opponent.
As the UFC announced on Twitter on Wednesday, original opponent Ryan LaFalre is out of the bout with Nelson due to undisclosed reasons. Stepping in his place is now Zak Cummings.
Nelson, 25, is 12-0-1 in MMA with a perfect UFC run in three fights. He most recently competed at UFC Fight Night 37 where he submitted Omari Akhmedov via guillotine choke in the first round.
Cummings, 29, is 17-3 in MMA and is perfect through two UFC fights. Prior to his last bout against Yan Cabral at UFC Fight Night 40 where the American won via unanimous decision, Cummings was expected to compete against Alberto Mina at the finale for The Ultimate Fighter: China in March. Cummings came in eight pounds over weight and because Mina did not agree to a catchweight bout, the contest was scrapped.
Cummings was originally scheduled to face Kenny Robertson at UFC Fight Night 45 on July 16, but was moved off this card to give Nelson an opponent. As of the time of this writing, Robertson is no longer a part of this card.
UFC Fight Night 46 is headlined by a featherweight non-title fight between Conor McGregor and Cole Miller. The event will take place at The O2 in Dublin, Ireland and will air on Fight Pass.