Paulo Costa will no longer be headlining UFC Fight Night Fort Lauderdale against Yoel Romero, as Ronaldo Souza will replace him and face Romero in the headlining fight.
ESPN first reported the story, although no reason has been given at this time as to why Costa is no longer facing Romero.
Romero (13-3-0) is competing for the first time since losing to UFC Middleweight Champion Robert Whittaker in the main event of UFC 225. Romero will headline his fourth straight UFC event, holding a 1-2-0 record in those previous three headlining bouts. Romero won the first meeting between he and Souza at UFC 194 and that win came by way of split decision.
Souza (26-6-0-1NC) has rotated wins and losses in his last five UFC appearances, with the latest fight being a third round knockout win over former UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman at UFC 230. Souza is a former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion, defeating Tim Kennedy at Strikeforce: Houston to claim the gold. Souza has picked up twenty six wins as a professional MMA fighter and fourteen of them have come by way of submission.
UFC Fight Night Fort Lauderdale takes place on Saturday, April 27 from the BT&T Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with Yoel Romero and Ronaldo Souza headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on ESPN.
