Just when you thought UFC 177 couldn’t get worse, it did. Just one day out, the rematch between Renan Barao and UFC Bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw has been scrapped.
It was recently announced by UFC officials that Barao had fell ill during his weight-cut and has been taken to the hospital.
With Barao unable to compete, the UFC had to find a replacement on one day’s notice. With basically no other feasible option, they chose former Bellator and TPF Bantamweight champion Joe Soto.
Soto who holds a professional MMA record of 15-2 and is currently riding a six-fight win streak, finishing his last five opponents. Soto was originally slated to make his UFC debut against former MFC Bantamweight champion Anthony Birchak on the prelims of UFC 177; he will now be fighting T.J. Dillashaw for the Bantamweight championship tomorrow night. [source]