Luke Sanders has been pulled from UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan, replacing him against Chris Gutierrez is Cody Durden.
Wrestling Observer first reported the news and the bout is still expected to be a part of the preliminary card.
Gutierrez (15-4-1) enters the contest riding a three fight winning streak, picking up wins over Ryan MacDonald, Geraldo De Freitas Jr. and Vince Morales. Gutierrez hasn’t suffered a defeat in almost two years, with that last loss coming to Roani Barcelos at the UFC Ultimate Fighter 28 Finale. Gutierrez has picked up fifteen wins as a professional MMA fighter and fourteen of them have come by a combination of KO/TKO or decision.
Durden (11-2-0) is going to be making his UFC debut in this bout and does so on a seven fight winning streak. Durden competed just over a week ago at National Fighting Championship 125, defeating John Sweeney by first round TKO. Durden has competed thirteen times as a professional MMA fighter and just two of those bouts went the distance.
UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan takes place on Saturday, August 1 from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada with Derek Brunson and Edmen Shahbazyan headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on ESPN+.
