The UFC on ESPN 15 card is just over a week away, and it’s undergone a bit of a shakeup.
UFC officials announced on Thursday that Ovince Saint Preux, who had been expected to face Shamil Gamzatov, will now face Contender Series alum Alonzo Menifield. In addition, it appears that with Yoel Romero out of the event, Uriah Hall is off the card entirely.
Saint Preux (24-14) will be making his return to the light heavyweight division at the event, after a failed bid to move to heavyweight against Ben Rothwell earlier this year. At the time, it was clear “OSP” was keeping his options open, refusing the commit to a heavyweight run. A split decision loss against “Big Ben” at UFC Jacksonville appears to have convinced him the 205lbs is the place to be.
Menifield (9-1) last competed at UFC 250, losing a unanimous decision against Devin Clark. Prior to that, he’d finished both his UFC opponents, including a knockout of Paul Craig last year.
The UFC on ESPN 15 card is expected to be headlined by Frankie Edgar and Pedro Munhoz, a fight that has been rescheduled several times. It will mark Edgar’s debut in the UFC’s bantamweight division, currently ruled over by Petr Yan.
