Number-five ranked UFC light heavyweight contender Jimi Manuwa was originally slated to headline the company’s upcoming Fight Night event in Sao Paulo against Glover Teixeira. But in mid-August, the former title contender was forced out of the fight due to a shoulder injury, leaving Manuwa without an opponent.
The UFC decided to tap middleweight fighter Thiago Santos to step in as replacement, which Manuwa initially said no to, according to Santos himself. From his end, Manuwa said he wanted a better matchup, until he was eventually goaded into agreeing to the fight.