In a recent update from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, fans of mixed martial arts are set for a shake-up in the upcoming UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev event. The organization has announced several key changes to the fight card due to injuries and visa issues, impacting the matchups scheduled for this Saturday, March 2, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Firstly, the featherweight bout between Brendon Marotte and Mohammad Yahya has been canceled. Marotte has been forced to withdraw due to an injury, leaving Yahya without an opponent for the weekend's event.
In the women's strawweight division, Josefine Knutsson has been removed from her scheduled fight against Julia Polastri. This change comes as a significant adjustment to the card, but Polastri won't be left out of the action. She steps in to replace the injured Shauna Bannon against Stephanie Luciano in an eagerly awaited matchup for UFC FIGHT NIGHT: Ribas vs. Namajunas on March 23, showcasing the depth and flexibility of the UFC's roster.
Adding to the list of alterations, Yanis Ghemmouri's bantamweight clash with Vinicius Oliveira is also undergoing a change. Ghemmouri has been pulled from the bout, paving the way for UFC newcomer Benardo Sopaj to make his debut. Sopaj enters the Octagon on the back of a three-fight winning streak, with each victory coming via finish, signaling his intent to make an immediate impact in his first UFC appearance.
Lastly, the lightweight division sees a replacement due to visa complications that have sidelined Joel Alvarez from his fight against Ludovit Klein. Stepping up to the challenge is AJ Cunningham, a veteran of Dana White’s Contender Series, ready to showcase his skills on the UFC stage.