Reza Madadi Hit with Visa Issue; Michael Chiesa Now Faces Jorge Masvidal at UFC on Fox 8
UFC on Fox 8 is still more than two months away. The fight card is full, but is already undergoing changes.
The Ultimate Fighter Season 15 winner Michael Chiesa was slated to fight Iranian-born Swedish fighter Reza Madadi at the July 27 event in Seattle. Madadi, however, is facing some visa issues, so Chiesa will instead face Strikeforce import Jorge Masvidal.
“Jorge Masvidal will fight Michael Chiesa instead of Reza Madadi,” UFC Tonight co-host Kenny Florian reported Tuesday night. “Madadi was forced off the card due to a reported visa issue.”
Chiesa (9-0) enters the fight with an unblemished record. He defeated Al Iaquinta in June of last year to win TUF 15. He then submitted Anton Kuivanen at UFC 157: Rousey vs. Carmouche in February.
In Masvidal, Chiesa takes a huge step up in competition.
Masvidal (24-7) has nearly four times the experience that Chiesa does. He lost a decision to former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez in late 2011, but has since rebounded with back-to-back victories over Justin Wilcox and Tim Means, the latter of which represented his Octagon debut.
UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson puts his belt on the line against John Moraga in the UFC on Fox 8 main event on July 27 at KeyArena in Seattle.
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