UFC 152: Machida Steps Out, Belfort Steps In To Face Jon “Bones” Jones

In another turn of events, the Ultimate Fighting Championship confirmed yesterday that Lyoto Machida turned down the opportunity to face Jon Jones for the light heavyweight title at UFC 152 in Toronto and that Brazilian Vitor Belfort has agreed to step into his place. UFC 152: JONES vs. BELFORT is set to take place at Air Canada Centre, in Toronto, Canada, on Sept. 22.

In other UFC 152 news, Dan Miller has been forced out of his fight with Toronto’s Sean Pierson due to a medical issue with his son. The UFC will look for a replacement for Miller. Also, added to the card is a welterweight bout between Charlie Brenneman and Kyle Noke, which was originally scheduled for UFC 151.

The updated bout order for UFC 152 is as follows:

Welterweight Bout – Charlie Brenneman vs. Kyle Noke
Bantamweight Bout – Walel Watson vs. Mitch Gagnon
Welterweight Bout – Simeon Thoresen vs. Seth Baczynski
Featherweight Bout – Marcus Brimage vs. Jimy Hettes
Welterweight Bout – TBD vs. Sean Pierson
Lightweight Bout – Evan Dunham vs. T.J Grant
Light Heavyweight Bout – Vinny Magalhaes vs. Igor Pokrajac

UFC 152 Main Card

Featherweight Bout – Charles Oliveira vs. Cub Swanson
Light Heavyweight – Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Matt Hamill
Middleweight Bout – Brian Stann vs. Michael Bisping
Flyweight Championship – Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez
Light Heavyweight Championship (5 rounds) – Vitor Belfort vs. Jon Jones

Source: UFC