Dustin Poirier will replace injured featherweight champion Jose Aldo in a fight against Josh Grispi at UFC 125 on Jan. 1, according to Heavy.com.
Aldo and Grispi had been scheduled to compete in the first UFC featherweight title bout following the WEC merger. However, Aldo is currently suffering from a compressed vertebrae injury that is causing tingling in his arms.
Grispi (14-1) is generally recognized as the top contender for Aldo’s title, having gone 4-0 in the WEC all via first round stoppages.
As for Poirier (8-1), he lost his WEC debut in a decision to Danny Castillo at WEC 50, but bounced back at WEC 52 with a quick KO win over Zack Micklewright.