Chris Gutierrez is going from one stiff challenge to another.
The UFC has announced a handful of late changes to this Saturday’s UFC Vegas 95 event, including Gutierrez getting a new opponent with the withdrawal of Javid Basharat. Stepping in for Basharat is undefeated octagon newcomer Quang Le.
The reason for Basharat’s withdrawal was not disclosed.
Gutierrez (20-6-2) looks to rebound from a decision loss to Song Yadong in the main event of a Fight Night card this past December. “El Guapo” is 1-2 since seeing an eight-fight unbeaten streak end in 2022, a run that had him on the cusp of a top-10 ranking.
Quang was expected to fight Aaron Tau on the Contender Series this upcoming season, but now heads straight to the UFC on less than a week’s notice. “Bang” is 8-0 since turning pro in 2021, with all but one of his fights taking place under the LFA banner.
Also debuting as a replacement is past Contender Series contestant Nikolay Veretennikov (12-4). He steps in for Uros Medic to fight Danny Barlow (8-0) at 170 pounds.
Two other bouts have also been removed from Saturday’s card.
Allan Nascimento was forced to withdraw from a flyweight fight with Jafel Filho due to an illness, and Jonny Parsons has also been removed from a welterweight bout with Yusaku Kinoshita. Both fights are cancelled.
UFC Vegas 95 is headlined by a heavyweight rematch between Marcin Tybura and Serghei Spivac.
