Mauricio Rua has a new opponent for next Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 22 co-main event.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion “Shogun” Rua (26-11 MMA, 10-9 UFC) will now face Scotland’s Paul Craig (12-4 MMA, 4-4 UFC), after the Brazilian’s original opponent, Sam Alvey, was forced to withdraw due to injury. The UFC announced the new booking Tuesday.
UFC on ESPN+ 22 takes place Saturday Nov. 16 at Ginásio do Ibirapuera in Sao Paulo. The main card and prelims stream on ESPN+.
The 37-year-old Rua has won four of his past five fights. After a brutal knockout loss to Anthony Smith in July 2018 snapped a three-fight winning streak, “Shogun” turned back the clock when he finished Tyson Pedro at UFC Fight Night 142 in December 2018.
With the change, the UFC on ESPN+ 22 lineup now includes:
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)
Jan Blachowicz vs. Ronaldo Souza
Paul Craig vs. Mauricio Rua
Jared Gordon vs. Charles Oliveira
James Krause vs. Sergio Moraes
Markus Perez vs. Wellington Turman
Antonio Arroyo vs. Andre Muniz
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET)
Eduardo Garagorri vs. Ricardo Ramos
Bobby Green vs. Francisco Trinaldo
Warlley Alves vs. Randy Brown
Renan Barao vs. Douglas de Andrade
Priscila Cachoeira vs. Ariane Lipski
Tracy Cortez vs. Vanessa Melo
With Sam Alvey out, 'Shogun' Rua faces Paul Craig in UFC on ESPN+ 22 co-headliner in Sao Paulo
