Two weeks removed from the UFC’s return to Melbourne and there has been a change to the lineup, which is headlined by a middleweight title fight between Australian champion Robert Whittaker and Kelvin Gastelum.
Originally scheduled to face Ryan “Superman” Spann in the opening bout of the main card, undefeated Melbourne based light heavyweight, Jim Crute (9-0), will now square off with American Sam “Smile’n” Alvey (33-11), as first reported by the Herald Sun. Spann has sustained a broken hand in training.
No stranger to fighting down under, Alvey will go into the short-notice matchup having won seven of his last 10 fights. Most recently, Alvey fell to Antônio Rogério Nogueira back in September last year, and the 32 year-old will no doubt be eager to get back on track against the hometown favorite.
Following his first-round victory on Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series – Season 2, Crute, 22, submitted Paul Craig in his UFC debut late last year in Adelaide.
UFC 234: Whittaker vs. Gastelum will take place Feb. 10 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
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