In other UFC 189 news, an injury to John Hathaway has caused a game of musical welterweight chairs for the July 11 event. With Hathaway forced out of his scrap against Gunnar Nelson, Brandon Thatch (pictured) will now meet Nelson.
Thatch was originally slated to face John Howard in the card’s prelims, but Howard will now be assigned to Cathal Pendred.
The UFC announced the switcheroo Tuesday.
It was reported earlier today that featherweight champion Jose Aldo might be forced out of the main event with Conor McGregor with a fractured rib. The UFC has not confirmed the rumor.
MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada hosts the festivities.
Here is the show’s revised lineup:
Preliminary Card:
Yosdenis Cedeno vs. Cody Pfister
Neil Seery vs. Louis Smolka
(Fox Sports 1 8PM ET/5PM PT)
Henry Briones vs. Cody Garbrandt
Mike Swick vs. Alex Garcia
Cathal Pendred vs. John Howard
Matt Brown vs. Tim Means
Main Card:
(Pay-Per-View 10PM ET/7PM PT)
Brad Pickett vs. Thomas Almeida
Brandon Thatch vs. Gunnar Nelson
Dennis Bermudez vs. Jeremy Stephens
Rory MacDonald vs. Robbie Lawler (UFC welterweight champion)
Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo (UFC featherweight champion)