Just five days removed from his TKO victory over Shane Campbell at UFC 186, John Makdessi has agreed to serve as a last-minute substitute to fight Donald Cerrone (pictured) at UFC 187.
Cerrone was initially slated to face Khabib Nurmagomedov in the May 23 event, but the Russian was forced to withdraw Wednesday with an undisclosed injury.
Cerrone is coming off January’s unanimous decision win over Benson Henderson. “Cowboy” has rattled off seven straight wins, but his last four have gone to the judges’ scorecards.
Makdessi has won four of his past five contests. “The Bull” dropped a decision to Alan Patrick Silva Alves prior to beating Campbell.
The event takes place inside MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Here is the show’s updated lineup:
Preliminary Card:
(UFC Fight Pass 7PM ET/4PM PT)
Justin Scoggins vs. Joshua Sampo
Islam Makhachev vs. Leo Kuntz
Mike Pyle vs. Sean Spencer
(Fox Sports 1 8PM ET/5PM PT)
Rose Namajunas vs. Nina Ansaroff
Rafael Natal vs. Uriah Hall
Josh Burkman vs. Dong Hyun Kim
John Dodson vs. Zach Makovski
Main Card:
(Pay-Per-View 10PM ET/7PM PT)
Joseph Benavidez vs. John Moraga
Andrei Arlovski vs. Travis Browne
Donald Cerrone vs. John Makdessi
Vitor Belfort vs. Chris Weidman (UFC middleweight champion)
Anthony Johnson vs. Daniel Cormier (for vacant UFC light heavyweight title)