The UFC's late summer return to Los Angeles and the FOX network was hit with a pair of changes Wednesday, including a new main event.
With Brian Stann out of his fight against Hector Lombard with an injury, which was first reported by MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com), the new main event for UFC on FOX 4 will be a light heavyweight bout between former champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Brandon Vera. UFC officials announced the change late Wednesday.
In addition, Pablo Garza is out of his featherweight fight against Josh Grispi. Stepping in for him, UFC officials said, will be Rani Yahya. Verbal agreements are in place for both fights.
UFC on FOX 4 takes place Aug. 4 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The main card, including the five-round main event between Rua and Vera, airs live on the Fox network.
Rua (20-6 MMA, 4-4 UFC) was scheduled for a fight against Thiago Silva at UFC 149 next month in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. But Silva pulled out recently with an injury, leaving Rua in need of a new opponent. He'll get one, as well as a new fight date, with the bout against Vera.
Vera (12-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC), meanwhile, was expected to face James Te Huna at "UFC on FUEL TV 4" next month in San Jose, Calif. UFC officials said Te Huna will soon get a new opponent with Vera pushed to the headlining spot of the Fox card.
Grispi (14-3 MMA, 0-2 UFC), once considered on the brink of a featherweight title shot, will be looking for his first UFC win after back-to-back losses to Dustin Poirier and George Roop. In Yahya (16-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC), he now must adjust for a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who holds 14 of his career wins by submission.
Source: UFC on FOX 4 gets 'Shogun' Rua vs. Brandon Vera headliner, Josh Grispi vs. Rani Yahya