UFC Vegas 49 has a new main event, and it has also seen another switch-up to a fight lower on the card.
Per an updated bout lineup listed by ESPN, the UFC’s official broadcast partner, Ramiz Brahimaj is stepping in to face Michael Gillmore at the Fight Night event on February 26, 2022. Cageside Press confirmed the booking Thursday, with Gillmore also posting the news on his Instagram Story.
No reason has been given for Parsons’ withdrawal from the welterweight bout.
Gillmore (6-4) joined The Ultimate Fighter 29 last year as a replacement fighter, quitting his job and staying ready for an opportunity that was anything but a guarantee. Despite coming up short on the show, Gillmore’s dedication was rewarded with a fight on the TUF 29 finale, which he lost to Andre Petroski.
That likely puts “The Gentleman” in a must-win situation later this month.
Brahimaj (9-4) has posted a 1-2 record inside the octagon to date. Most recently, he fell short against TUF winner Court McGee, dropping a three-round unanimous decision. Brahimaj’s lone win in the UFC came via a rear-naked choke submission of Sasha Palatnikov.
UFC Vegas 49 takes place Saturday, February 26, 2022 at the Apex in Las Vegas. Bobby Green will step in to replace Beneil Dariush against Islam Makhachev in the main event. The full card as it stands breaks down as follows:
- Islam Makhachev vs. Bobby Green
- Misha Cirkunov vs. Wellington Turman
- Ji Yeon Kim vs. Priscila Cachoeira
- Arman Tsarukyan vs. Joel Álvarez
- Armen Petrosyan vs. Gregory Rodrigues
- Zhu Rong vs. Ignacio Bahamondes
- Terrance McKinney vs. Farès Ziam
- Jinh Yu Frey vs. Hannah Goldy
- Alejandro Pérez vs. Jonathan Martinez
- Victor Altamirano vs. Carlos Hernández
- Josiane Nunes vs. Jennifer Gonzalez
- Ramiz Brahimaj vs. Micheal Gillmore
