Flyweight newcomer Alp Ozkilic replaces John Moraga at UFC on FOX 9
Promotional newcomer Alp Ozkilic (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has replaced injured John Moraga (13-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) and now meets fellow flyweight Darren Uyenoyama (8-4 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at next month’s UFC on FOX 9 event.
UFC officials today announced the change. According to the new announcement, Moraga is expected to be sidelined four weeks with the undisclosed injury.
UFC on FOX 9 takes place Dec. 14 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento. The main card airs on FOX following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and MMAjunkie.
Ozkilic vs. Uyenoyama is slated for the prelims.
Ozkilic replaces the fifth-ranked fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA flyweight rankings. He now takes on No. 13 Uyenoyama.
Ozkilic is on a three-fight winning streak, which included a recent Legacy FC 20 knockout victory over UFC and WEC vet Antonio Banuelos. The Missourian’s only loss came to current UFC fighter Chico Camus via decision in early 2012. His UFC debut comes on three weeks’ notice.
Uyenoyama looks to get back in the win column. In April at UFC on FOX 7, Joseph Benavidez stopped stopped him in the second round. The loss snapped a three-fight winning streak for Uyenoyama, who earned a decision win over Norfumi Yamamoto in his UFC debut. Then, after an 11-month layoff, he submitted Phil Harris a year ago. His loss to Benavidez was his first in three years.
With the change, the UFC on FOX 9 lineup now includes:
MAIN CARD (FOX, 8 p.m. ET)
Champ Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez – for UFC flyweight title
Urijah Faber vs. Michael McDonald
Matt Brown vs. Carlos Condit
Nik Lentz vs. Chad Mendes
PRELIMINARY CARD (FOX Sports 1, MMAjunkie.com)
Ryan LaFlare vs. Court McGee
John Dodson vs. Scott Jorgensen
Edson Barboza vs. Danny Castillo
Mac Danzig vs. Joe Lauzon
Bobby Green vs. Pat Healy
Roger Bowling vs. Abel Trujillo
Cody McKenzie vs. Sam Stout
Alp Ozkilic vs. Darren Uyenoyama
