A pair of injuries has changed the landscape of the UFC on Fox 2 undercard.
According to promotion officials, both Paul Sass (12-0) and Eddie Wineland (18-8-1) have withdrawn from the card with undisclosed injuries. UFC veteran Nik Lentz (21-4-2, 1 NC) has been tapped as Sass' replacement and will meet Evan Dunham (12-2) in a lightweight bout. Officials are actively searching for a new foe for Wineland's intended opponent, TUF 14 alum Johnny Bedford (18-9-1).
A 27-year-old wrestler out of Minnesota, Lentz tasted UFC defeat for the first time against Mark Bocek earlier this month at UFC 140. Prior to the setback, "The Carny" racked up four straight wins over the likes of Andre Winner, Tyson Griffin, Rob Emerson, and Waylon Lowe.
Meanwhile Dunham, a Brazilian Jiu-Jistu blackbelt out of Xtreme Couture, simply hopes to climb back up the 155-pound ladder after a two-fight losing streak to Melvin Guillard and Sean Sherk halted any glimpse of a title run. The 29-year-old has since rediscovered his winning ways with a unanimous decision over TUF 13 veteran Shamar Bailey at UFC Fight Night 25.
UFC on Fox 2 takes place January 28, 2012 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. Three high-profile contender matches headline the network broadcast -- Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis, Mark Munoz vs. Chael Sonnen, and Michael Bisping vs. Demian Maia.
UFC on Fox 2 fight card:
Light heavyweight: Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis
Middleweight: Chael Sonnen vs. Mark Munoz
Middleweight: Michael Bisping vs. Demian Maia
Bantamweight: Johnny Bedford vs. TBA
Lightweight: Evan Dunham vs. Nik Lentz
Heavyweight: John Olav Einemo vs. Mike Russow
Lightweight: Cody McKenzie vs. Michael Johnson
Featherweight: George Roop vs. Cub Swanson
Featherweight: Charles Oliveira vs. Eric Wisely
Middleweight: Chris Camozzi vs. Dustin Jacoby
Heavyweight: Lavar Johnson vs. Joey Beltran