Nohelin Hernandez to Make Short-Notice Octagon Debut vs. Marlon Vera at UFC 239

Nohelin Hernandez will make his UFC debut on just four days notice against Marlon Vera at UFC 239.

The matchup was initially reported by MMA Fusion and has since been confirmed by multiple outlets. Vera was originally scheduled to face Sean O’Malley, but after O’Malley was flagged by USADA, the Nevada State Athletic Commission removed him from the card. Since then, the Las Vegas-based promotion has been searching for a replacement for Vera. “Chito” is on a three-fight winning streak with his last win coming back in March as he defeated Frankie Saenz via TKO in the first round at UFC Nashville.

Hernandez, meanwhile, is 9-2 as a pro and riding a three-fight winning streak, with his last fight coming at LFA 51 in September. In addition to competing under the LFA banner, the 25-year-old has also fought in Bellator MMA. “Suave” has three wins by KO/TKO, with the rest coming by decision.

UFC 239 goes down on Saturday from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a light heavyweight duel between Jon Jones and Thiago Santos.