Markus Perez Replaces Isi Fitikefu, Meets Dalcha Lungiambula at UFC on ESPN 20

An elbow injury has forced Isi Fitikefu out of his Octagon debut at UFC on ESPN 20.

As a result, Markus Perez will step in and face Dalcha Lungiambula on Jan. 20 in Abu Dhabi. Multiple outlets confirmed the new middleweight booking following an initial report from Ag Fight. UFC on ESPN 20 takes place at the Flash Forum and is headlined by a welterweight duel between Neil Magny and Michael Chiesa.

The 30-year-old Perez has lost three of his last four Octagon appearances and is coming off a first-round knockout loss against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC Fight Night 179 on Oct. 10. “Maluko” is 2-4 in the UFC and 12-4 as a professional overall, with nine of his triumphs coming inside the distance.

After winning his promotional debut against Dequan Townsend, Lungiambula had a six-fight pro winning streak halted in a third-round KO loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC Fight Night 163 on Nov. 9. A former Extreme Fighting Championship heavyweight title holder, Lungiambula will be making his first middleweight foray against Perez.