Picking up right where the injury bug left off in 2012, former Strikeforce star Tyron Woodley (Pictured) will replace injured Erick Silva and make his big league debut against Jay Hieron at UFC 156.
Woodley enters the Octagon with a 10-1 professional record. The wrestler’s lone blemish came in his most recent outing to Nate Marquardt for the vacant Strikeforce welterweight crown.
Hieron dropped a decision to Jake Ellenberger at “UFC on FX 5.” Despite the October loss, “The Thoroughbred” is still 11-2 over his past 13 outings.
The scrap will likely appear in the card’s prelims.
No word on what injury forced Silva out of the contest.
Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada hosts February 2nd festivities.
Here are the athletes expected to appear in the show:
Edwin Figueroa vs. Francisco Rivera
Jacob Volkmann vs. Bobby Green
Evan Dunham vs. Gleison Tibau
Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian McCall
Tyron Woodley vs. Jay Hieron
Jon Fitch vs. Demian Maia
Rashad Evans vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Alistair Overeem vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva
Frankie Edgar vs. Jose Aldo (UFC featherweight champion)