With John Lineker out due to injury, newcomer Mario Bautista is stepping up against Cory Sandhagen at UFC Brooklyn.
The UFC has found a replacement for John Lineker. Stepping into Lineker’s place at UFC Brooklyn (UFC Fight Night 143) in a week’s time will be Mario Bautista. Flo Combat’s Nolan King was first to report the news. Bautista will face Cory Sandhagen at the event, who himself is a replacement for ex-champ Dominick Cruz, in a fight that was originally scheduled for UFC 233 (an event later scrapped).
It’s a whole new fight, in other words. Bautista (6-0) is undefeated as a pro, but will be taking a big step up in competition on short notice at UFC Brooklyn. Bautista has fought for Combate Americas, LFA, and Smash Global, among other promotions. However, only two of his six opponents have records over .500, something certainly not the case with Sandhagen.
Cory Sandhagen himself is 9-1, and is in the midst of a four fight winning streak. That includes his two UFC bouts thus far, and two more under the LFA banner. Six of Sandhagen’s nine wins have come via a finish. Impressively, all four wins on his current streak have come via a finish.
UFC Brooklyn takes place January 19 at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, NY. Henry Cejudo vs. T.J. Dillashaw for the flyweight title tops the card.
