Makhmud Muradov steps in to fight Antonio Carlos Junior at UFC Brasilia

Makhmud Muradov (pictured) will fight Antonio Carlos Junior in a middleweight bout at UFC Brasilia on March 14. | Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Antonio Carlos Junior is getting his chance to fight in his native Brazil thanks to Makhmud Muradov stepping in for an injured Brad Tavares.

Officials announced that Carlos Junior (10-4, 1 NC) and Muradov (24-6) will meet at UFC Brasilia at Ginasio Nilson Nelson on March 14. Tavares was originally scheduled to fight Carlos Junior before being forced to withdraw due to an ACL injury.

This is good news for “Cara de Sapato,” who will be looking to start off 2020 with a win after going 0-2 this past year with losses to Uriah Hall and Ian Heinisch. Prior to those setbacks, Carlos Junior had won five straight fights.

Muradov won his first two UFC bouts after making his promotional debut in September, most recently defeating Trevor Smith with a highlight-reel KO at UFC on ESPN 7.

UFC Brasilia will air live on ESPN+ and is currently scheduled to feature several high-profile bouts, including Johnny Walker vs. Nikita Krylov, Jussier Formiga vs. Brandon Moreno, and Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant. No headliner has been named for the event yet.