The lineup shuffling continues for UFC officials, as Jorge Lopez (11-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has been forced out of his planned contest with Matt Riddle (5-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC).
In his place steps octagon newcomer Henry Martinez (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC).
UFC officials recently announced the change.
Featuring an interim welterweight title fight between Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit UFC 143 takes place Feb. 4 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
Riddle looks to snap a two-fight losing streak, the first such run of his career. A rare fighter who has fought all of his professional contests in the octagon, he was beaten by UFC newcomer Lance Benoist this past September but was rewarded with a "Fight of the Night" bonus following the UFC Fight Night 25 bout. Riddle also dropped a decision to Sean Pierson at 2010's UFC 124 card.
He now faces Martinez, a Greg Jackson product who makes his UFC debut. Martinez, who competed as a featherweight in 2009 at Bellator Fighting Championships 2 (where he suffered his lone career loss), carried a four-fight win streak into the contest. All four wins have come via submission.
Lopez made his UFC debut at September's UFC Fight Night 25 event, where he dropped a unanimous decision to Justin Edwards. The result snapped a 10-fight win streak for "Lil' Monster," who had defeated the likes of Waachiim Spiritwolf, Chidi Njokuani, Dave Terrel and David Marshall on the regional circuit.
For more on UFC 143, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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