There are a couple key updates to the
UFC Fight Night 183 card in the wake of Leon
Edwards’ positive COVID-19 test and the subsequent cancellation
of his headlining bout against Khamzat
Chimaev.
First, a welterweight clash pitting Anthony
Pettis against Alex Morono
is a late addition to the Dec. 19 card. ESPN
was first to report that both fighters have agreed to meet at the
event.
As a result of the loss of the original main event, a 170-pound
showdown between Stephen
Thompson and Geoff Neal
has been elevated to the featured attraction. Thompson vs. Neal
will now be a five-round fight.
UFC Fight Night 183 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and
ranks as one of the promotion’s most stacked Fight Night offerings
of the year — even without Edwards vs. Chimaev. In addition to
Thompson vs. Neal, the card also includes notable fights such as
Marlon
Moraes vs. Rob Font,
Jose
Aldo vs. Marlon Vera,
Misha
Cirkunov vs. Ryan Spann
and Alexandre
Pantoja vs. Manel Kape,
to name a few.
A former lightweight champion, Pettis halted a two-bout skid at UFC
249, where he captured a unanimous decision triumph against
Donald
Cerrone.
Morono has won four of his last five Octagon appearances and is
coming off a three-round verdict over Rhys McKee
at UFC Fight Night 182 on Nov. 14.