Jorge Rivera's loss will be Gerald Harris' gain.
MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the promotion that Harris (17-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has verbally agreed to replace Rivera and now faces Alessio Sakara (15-7 MMA, 6-4 UFC) at UFC 118. Bout agreements are expected to be finalized shortly.
Featuring a lightweight title rematch between current champion Frankie Edgar and former title holder B.J. Penn, UFC 118 takes place Aug. 28 at Boston's TD Garden.
Harris fights for the fourth time in 2010. After debuting for the UFC with a "Knockout of the Night" win over John Salter in January, Harris has since earned victories over Mario Miranda and Dave Branch. The slam finish of Branch earlier this month earned Harris the evening's "Knockout of the Night" and was also featured on ESPN's SportsCenter as one of the evening's "top plays."
Harris, who was eliminate as a contestant on "The Ultimate Fighter 7" by eventual show winner Amir Sadollah, now has 10-straight wins overall.
Sakara seeks his fourth-straight win. After battling through a rough 1-3 stretch in the UFC in 2007, Sakara has scored knockout wins over Joe Vedepo and James Irvin and a split-decision victory over Thales Leites.
Sakara had been expected to face Nate Marquardt at UFC 116, but the Italian was forced to withdraw after the passing of his father.
Rivera, who was forced to withdraw from the matchup due to a broken arm, hopea to return to action in September or October.
The Rivera-Sakara matchup was expected to air on Spike TV, though it's currently uncertain if the new Harris-Sakara bout will still figure as a "UFC Prelims" contest.
Source: http://mmajunkie.com/news/20037/gerald- ... fc-118.mma