Days after we first reported that Welsh mixed martial artist John Phillips was removed from his January 28 light heavyweight bout with Marcos Rogério de Lima, we have learned that Jeremy Kimball (MMA record 14-5) will step in and face de Lima on short notice.
Kimball, a 25-year-old Colorado native, will make his Octagon debut on just 8 days notice at UFC on FOX 23:
Soo I'll see all you Denver people next week in the octagon for the @ufc time to let the grizzly out! pic.twitter.com/i34wflsdZb
— Jeremy kimball (@Jeremykimball1) January 20, 2017
Kimball last competed at FFC 27: Night of Champions in December, where he earned a third round TKO finish over light heavyweight Maro Perak. Three of Kimball’s last four victories have come by way of knockout — and Kimball hasn’t been defeated since he lost to UFC veteran Chris Camozzi back in November 2014.
As MMANewsline reported earlier this week:
The reason for Phillip’s removal remains unclear, however it was revealed that the UFC has been seeking a replacement to step in on short notice against de Lima at 205-pounds for the January 28 UFC on Fox: Shevchenko vs. Peña card.
Marcos Rogerio de Lima (MMA record 14-3) lost the last time he stepped into the octagon at UFC Fight Night 100, but holds a UFC record of 3-2 — each of the three wins coming by knockout or submission.
UFC on FOX 23 will be headlined by #1 ranked Women’s Bantamweight Valentina Shevchenko vs #2 ranked Julianna Pena, as they fight for the right to battle UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes.
