Forget about Rich Franklin’s swan song headlining the UFC’s return to his hometown of Cincinnati. The former middleweight champion is far too occupied with his juice bar at this point.
The UFC announced Monday afternoon that a welterweight affair between Matt Brown (pictured) and Erick Silva will actually take top billing in the May 10 event.
Brown is enjoying a late career resurgence having rattled off six straight wins. However, “The Immortal” proved to be mortal when two herniated discs in his lower back forced him out of December’s pivotal bout with Carlos Condit.
Brown was last seen knocking out Mike Pyle in August.
Silva, meanwhile, if fresh off last month’s quick KO victory over Takenori Sato. The up-and-comer has alternated between wins and losses over his past seven fights.
U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio hosts UFC Fight Night 40. Fox Sports 1 broadcasts the main card live.
Here is the show’s updated lineup:
Justin Salas vs. Ben Wall
Chris Cariaso vs. Louis Smolka
Lorenz Larkin vs. Constantinos Philippou
Eddie Wineland vs. Johnny Eduardo
Manny Gamburyan vs. Nik Lentz
Erik Koch vs. Daron Cruickshank
Soa Palelei vs. Ruan Potts
Ed Herman vs. Rafael Natal
Matt Brown vs. Erick Silva