Courtesy of the UFC’s freshly-announced flyweight tournament, Demetrious Johnson will no longer be meeting Eddie Wineland in the company’s return to FOX. Instead, “The Ultimate Fighter 14” contestant Johnny Bedford (Pictured) has agreed to play substitute and meet Wineland in a bantamweight affair on January 28th.
A light heavyweight top contender bout between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis headlines the freebie fight card. Speaking of #1 contender tangos, middleweights Mark Munoz and Chael Sonnen will serve as the co-main event to determine who gets next dibs at Anderson Silva’s title.
Unlike last month’s hour-long premiere on FOX, the UFC’s follow-up on primetime television is expected to run two hours and showcase at least three live fights.
The United Center in Chicago will host the Octagon’s return to Illinois.
The FOX broadcast airs live at 8PM ET/5PM PT.
Here is the card’s updated roster:
Preliminary Bouts:
Dustin Jacoby vs. Chris Camozzi
Cub Swanson vs. George Roop
Jon Olav Einemo vs. Mike Russow
Charles Oliveira vs. Eric Wisely
Cody McKenzie vs. Michael Johnson
Johnny Bedford vs. Eddie Wineland
Evan Dunham vs. Paul Sass
Main Bouts:
Michael Bisping vs. Demian Maia
Mark Munoz vs. Chael Sonnen
Phil Davis vs. Rashad Evans