Means’ original opponent, Ramazan Emeev, withdrew from the welterweight bout due to undisclosed reasons. As a result, Dana White’s Contender Series alum Daniel Rodriguez will step in and face Means. ESPN was first to report the change.
UFC Rio Rancho takes place at the Santa Ana Star Center and is headlined by a light heavyweight rematch between Jan Blachowicz and Corey Anderson. The card will stream on ESPN+.
A New Mexico native, Means has compiled an 11-8 mark while competing in the Las Vegas-based promotion. He last appeared at UFC on ESPN 7, where he submitted Thiago Alves in the opening stanza.
Rodriguez enters his promotional debut on a five-fight winning streak. The 33-year-old Combate Americas veteran earned a decision over Rico Farrington on the Contender Series in his last outing this past July.