WSOF’s first event of 2016 has gotten a late main event change, as Mike Ricci has suffered yet another injury to take him out of the event.
In his place steps Luiz Firmino, though that fight’s been shifted down the card. A bout between Teddy Holder and Shamil Gamzatov is the new main event for the Jan. 23 NBCSN card from the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
The 29-year-old Ricci spent over a year on the sidelines after two appearances in Titan FC, forcing him out of multiple scheduled bouts. He entered WSOF’s one-night lightweight tournament in November, but after a knockout win in the opening round, a hip injury kept him from competing the rest of that night. He’s re-injured that hip, taking him out of action once again.
Firmino hasn’t had a professional fight since June of 2014, as he took part in the Ultimate Fighter “ATT vs. The Blackzilians” season last year representing the Blackzilians. This will be his third appearance in WSOF, following decision wins over Jacob Volkmann and Tyson Griffin.
He’ll now meet UFC and Strikeforce vet Fodor, who enters with wins in three of his last four fights. All four of those came under the ONE FC banner.
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