Gabriel Green expected to replace Kevin Holland at UFC on ESPN 9, meet Daniel Rodriguez

The UFC has zoned in on a new opponent for Daniel Rodriguez. Enter Gabriel Green.

Tuesday, MMA Junkie reported Rodriguez’s original opponent Kevin Holland was removed from UFC on ESPN 9 after suffering an injury.

The promotion is currently finalizing a bout between Green (9-2 MMA, 0-0) and Rodriguez (11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) for the event, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MMA Junkie on Tuesday.

UFC on ESPN 9 is expected to take place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, pending approval from the Nevada Athletic Commission. The event airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

A former Bellator competitor, Green has turned heads on the regional scene for his current six-fight finishing streak. In nine professional victories, Green has never gone the distance – with five submissions and four TKOs.

As for Rodriguez, the Dana White’s Contender Series alumnus is riding high off a submission victory over Tim Means in February. The Donald Cerrone protege has won eight straight fights.

With the change, the UFC on ESPN 9 lineup includes:

• Gilbert Burns vs. Tyron Woodley
• Blagoy Ivanov vs. Augusto Sakai
• Gabriel Green vs. Daniel Rodriguez
• Roosevelt Roberts vs. Brok Weaver
• Hannah Cifers vs. Mackenzie Dern
• Katlyn Chookagian vs. Antonina Shevchenko
• Spike Carlyle vs. Billy Quarantillo
• Klidson Abreu vs. Jamahal Hill
• Tim Elliott vs. Brandon Royval
• Casey Kenney vs. Louis Smolka
• Chris Gutierrez vs. Vince Morales