Back to the MMA Newsfeed

UFC 201: Ross Pearson faces Jorge Masvidal at welterweight with Siyar Bahadurzada benched

Siyar Bahadurzada was recently forced out of his welterweight scrap against Jorge Masvidal -- which was set to pop off at UFC 201 on July 30, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia -- with an illness.

No fret, as Ross Pearson has agreed to step up and from lightweight to challenge the former street brawler in "Hotlanta."

NEW FIGHT: Ross Pearson has agreed to move up to welterweight and fight Jorge Masvidal at UFC 201 in Atlanta. Replaces Siyar Bahadurzada.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) July 13, 2016

Pearson is fresh off a unanimous decision loss to Bellator MMA import Will Brooks at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 23 Finale just last week on July 8, 2016 (video replay here).