Junior Maranhao Replaces Leandro Higo in RFA 14 Flyweight Title Headliner

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Visa issues will prevent Brazilian talent Leandro Higo from vying for the vacant flyweight title next week.

In Higo’s place steps countryman Junior Maranhao, who now faces Matt Manzanares for the belt in the RFA 14 headliner. The event takes place April 11 at the City of Cheyenne Ice and Events Center in Cheyenne, Wyo., and airs live on AXS TV.

An 11-fight pro, Maranhao rides a six-fight winning streak into RFA debut, most recently scoring a second-round technical knockout on home soil this past December. The Brazilian has earned all nine of his victories by stoppage, collecting six wins via knockout and another three by submission.

Manzanares previously contended for the vacant RFA title but was outwrestled by ex-Bellator bantamweight king Zach Makovsky in their November meeting at RFA 11. The setback snapped a two-fight winning streak for Manzanares, who finished Kevin Gray and Steve Swanson to earn his shot at the gold.