UFC Fight News 2015: Neil Magny Replaces Matt Brown in UFC Fight Night 78
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight bet Matt Brown is officially out of his upcoming main event matchup against Kelvin Gastelum due to an ankle injury reportedly obtained in training; but the good news is that the main card for Fight Night 78 is pushing through as the UFC announced that Neil Magny will be replacing the injured Brown.
The welterweight showdown is scheduled on Nov. 21 in Monterrey, Mexico.
Brown announced in social media a couple of days ago that the ankle injury is the cause of the pullout, but it actually isn't that serious and he's not expecting to be sidelined for a long time.
In his place is the 28-year-old Magny, who is actually slated to face Stephen Thompson in another fight card (UFC 195) on Jan. 2. Because he has been moved to a new fight date, the UFC is expected to announce his replacement against Thompson.
Magny is one of the most active and willing fighters for the mixed martial arts promotional company, having accepted a short-notice fight the last time out against Erick Silva, winning via split decision. This time, he's going to fast-forward his training to fight in November instead of the original January schedule, plus the fact that he should be adjusting to another opponent.
The American mixed martial artist was supposed to be on a hot streak, winning seven straight fights in just 15 months. However, that streak was halted when he lost via submission to Demian Maia in August. He then redeemed himself with the split decision win against Silva.
The younger Gastelum has an Octagon record of 6-1 and is fighting in the 170-pound division once again after trying out as a middleweight against Nate Marquardt in a match he won. This fight, however, will be a test for him if he can make the weight limit.
UFC Fight Night 78, dubbed "The Ultimate Fighter: Latin America 2," will also feature a featherweight co-main event, pitting Diego Sanchez against Ricardo Lamas.
