The UFC has confirmed that Josh Koscheck will replace an injured Diego Sanchez and take on Hall of Famer Matt Hughes this month in Denver.
The new co-main event bout of UFC 135 on Sept. 24 comes after Sanchez pulled out because of a broken bone in his hand.
“I am heartbroken that I have to inform MMA fans that I cannot fight Matt Hughes at UFC 135 later this month,” Sanchez said in a statement. “I have never physically felt more prepared to compete than I felt for this fight, which makes this even more painful for me.”
Koscheck, the former top welterweight contender who hasn’t fought since losing to champion Georges St-Pierre in December, indicated via Twitter Monday that he was asked to step in and it would be up to Hughes to accept the fight. Evidently, he did.
The event is headlined by the light-heavyweight championship bout between Jon (Bones) Jones and former belt-holder Quinton (Rampage) Jackson.
