Lightweight swashbuckler Cody McKenzie (12-1) will have to wait a little longer before he makes his third Octagon appearance. The TUF 12 veteran and guillotine master has been forced out of his scheduled UFC 130 bout against Bart Palaszewski (35-14) due to inury.
UFC President Dana White has confirmed American Top Team veteran Gleison Tibau (22-7) will replace McKenzie for the May 28 event in Las Vegas.
Tibau is coming off a split decision win over Kurt Pellegrino (22-6) at UFC 128 in March. The 27-year-old Brazilian has served a solid gatekeeping role in the UFC’s 155-pound division since 2006.
Palaszewski went 4-3 in the WEC before their merger with the UFC late last year. He is coming off a split decision loss to Kamal Shalorus (7-1-2) in the final WEC event this past December.
Palaszewski holds the distinction of being the only person to ever defeat Anthony “Showtime” Pettis (13-1); a split decision at WEC 45 in Dec. 2009. UFC 130 will mark Palaszewski’s UFC debut.
Headlining UFC 130 will be the lightweight title fight rematch between reigning champion Frankie Edgar and number one contender Gray Maynard. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson will take on Matt Hamill in the co-headliner.
Check ProMMAnow.com’s Upcoming Events page for the full UFC 130 fight card as it is announced, as well as all upcoming UFC and major MMA event schedules.