UFC's superfight between Bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw and Flyweight champ Henry Cejudo will no longer be taking place at UFC 233 in Anaheim on January 26.
Instead, Dillashaw and Cejudo will faceoff for the Flyweight title in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on January 19. The event will mark the first live event of a five-year deal between the UFC and ESPN.
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Dillashaw (16-3) and Cejudo (13-2) were both victorious in their last bouts at UFC 217 in July. Dillashaw KO'd Cody Garbrandt in the second round of their rematch to retain his title, while Cejudo avenged his UFC 197 loss to Demetrious Johnson with a five-round split decision victory to earn the Flyweight crown.
In addition to Dillashaw vs Cejudo, Joanne Calderwood vs. Arlene Lipski has also moved to the same card from UFC 233. The highly anticipated UFC on ESPN+ event will also feature Paige VanZant's return to the octagon as she takes on Rachael Ostovocih.
According to ESPN, former NFL lineman Greg Hardy, now 3-0 in his MMA career, will make his UFC debut on the card against Allen Crowder (9-3) in a heavyweight bout. Contracts have not yet been signed, but UFC President Dana White told ESPN that the fight is close to being finalized.
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As for UFC 233, former U.S. Olympic wrestler Ben Askren will make his long awaited UFC debut in the co-main event when he takes on Robbie Lawler. Askren (18-0) was traded by ONE Championship to the UFC in October, in exchange for former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson.
CBS Sports' Brian Campbell reports that the UFC is currently searching for another headliner to replace Dillashaw vs Cejudo on the card.
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