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UFC 173: Barão vs. Dillashaw is an upcoming mixed martial arts event to be held on May 24, 2014 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.


Official fight card

Main Card

Bantamweight Renan Barão (c) vs. T.J. Dillashaw For the UFC Bantamweight Championship
Light Heavyweight Dan Henderson vs. Daniel Cormier UFC Light Heavyweight title eliminator.
Welterweight Robbie Lawler vs. Jake Ellenberger
Bantamweight Takeya Mizugaki vs. Francisco Rivera
Lightweight Jamie Varner vs. James Krause

Preliminary card (Fox Sports 1)

Lightweight Michael Chiesa vs. Francisco Trinaldo
Lightweight Tony Ferguson vs. Katsunori Kikuno
Bantamweight Chris Holdsworth vs. Chico Camus
Lightweight Al Iaquinta vs. Mitch Clarke

Preliminary card (UFC Fight Pass)

Lightweight Anthony Njokuani vs. Vinc Pichel
Featherweight Sam Sicilia vs. Aaron Phillips
Welterweight David Michaud vs. Li JingLiang



Background

A Middleweight Championship bout between the current champion Chris Weidman and number one contender Vitor Belfort was scheduled to headline this event. However, on February 27, the Nevada State Athletic Commission officially banned testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT) from combat sports. Belfort, who was receiving the TRT treatment at the time, was forced to withdraw from the bout and stated, "Given the time constraints involved between now and my proposed next bout in May, I have determined not to apply for a license to fight in Nevada at this time."

The main event was quickly changed as former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida agreed to step in to face Weidman for the title in the main event. However, on March 24, the UFC announced that Weidman had suffered a knee injury and that a new headline bout would be found. The Weidman title defense against Machida was moved to July's UFC 175.

After the announcement that Weidman/Machida bout had been moved, a Bantamweight Championship bout between Renan Barão and Raphael Assunção was targeted as the event headliner. However, Assunção opted to decline the bout as a rib injury sustained in his last bout at UFC 170 had not healed enough to resume the proper training in advance of the event. Barão will now face T.J. Dillashaw in the main event. As a result, Dillashaw's original opponent at the event, Takeya Mizugaki, will face Francisco Rivera.

The co-main event was original scheduled to be Junior Dos Santos against Stipe Miocic. However, the bout was moved and will now take place a week later on May 31, 2014 at The Ultimate Fighter Brazil 3 Finale.

The coaches bout between The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 participants Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva was briefly linked to this event. However, the fight was moved twice - first being on May 31, 2014 at The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3 Finale, but now it will be contested on July 5, 2014 at UFC 175.

A lightweight bout between Yves Edwards and Piotr Hallman was expected to take place at this event. However, the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night 43.

Chris Holdsworth was expected to face Kyung Ho Kang at the event. However, Kang pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Chico Camus.

Doo Ho Choi was expected to make his promotional debut at the event against Sam Sicilia. However, Choi was forced out of the bout with an injury,[15] and was replaced by UFC newcomer Aaron Phillips.

Danny Mitchell was expected to face promotional newcomer Li Jingliang. However, Mitchell pulled out of the bout with an injury. Replacing Mitchell will be The Ultimate Fighter: Team Carwin vs. Team Nelson cast member David Michaud.



Apr 22 - Updated fight card & background
May 14 - Updated fight card & background

Apr 22 - Updated fight card & background

May 14 - Updated fight card & background