First UFC event of 2024 hit with multiple changes
The first UFC event of 2024 has been hit with multiple lineup changes.
UFC Fight Night 234 takes place Jan. 13 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams on ESPN+. The lineup currently sits at 13 fights.
Over the past three days, however, that number has fluctuated with three withdrawals and two additions, as follows:
Matthew Semelsberger replaces Bassil Hafez
Preston Parsons will now face Matthew Semelsberger rather than Bassil Hafez. It’s unclear why Hafez is out.
Parsons (10-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) looks to reenter the win column following a unanimous decision loss to Trevin Giles in March. Semelsberger (11-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) aims to snap a two-fight skid that includes losses to Jeremiah Wells and Uros Medic.
A person with knowledge of the change recently confirmed the news to MMA Junkie after an initial report by reporter James Lynch.
Yana Santos withdraws due to broken nose
For the first time as a professional, Yana Santos has withdrawn from a fight.
Santos (14-8 MMA, 4-5 UFC) was scheduled to face Norma Dumont (10-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) but is out of the fight.
Two people with knowledge of the booking recently informed MMA Junkie of the change but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Santos posted on Instagram a broken nose is the cause for withdrawal. It’s unclear if Dumont will remain on the card.
Joshua Van replaces Denys Bondar
One of the most highly-touted rising flyweights, Joshua Van steps into his third UFC fight on short notice, much like he did his promotional debut in June. He defeated Zhalgas Zhumagulov by unanimous decision then returned in November to defeat Kevin Borjas by split decision.
Van (9-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) replaces Denys Bondar and fights promotional newcomer Felipe Bunes (13-6 MMA, 0-0 UFC), a former LFA flyweight champion who fights out of Fight Ready MMA in Scottsdale, Ariz..
Two people with knowledge of the booking recently informed MMA Junkie of the change but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
The current UFC Fight Night 234 lineup
Magomed Anakalaev vs. Johnny Walker
Manel Kape vs. Matheus Nicolau
Gabriel Benitez vs. Jim Miller
Macy Chiasson vs. Ketlen Vieira
Mario Bautista vs. Ricky Simon
Brunno Ferreira vs. Phil Hawes
Andrei Arlovski vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta
Preston Parsons vs. Matthew Semelsberger
Gaston Bolanos vs. Marcus McGhee
Farid Basharat vs. Taylor Lapilus
Jean Silva vs. Westin Wilson
Felipe Bunes vs. Joshua Van
Nikolas Motta vs. Tom Nolan
