UFC Atlanta Update: Ricky Simon Gets New Opponent

Cameron Smotherman will replace the injured Charles Jourdain and face Ricky Simon at UFC Atlanta on Saturday.

The Las Vegas-based promotion announced the new bantamweight booking on Tuesday. UFC Atlanta — also known as UFC on ESPN 69 — takes place at State Farm Arena and is headlined by a welterweight duel pitting Kamaru Usman against Joaquin Buckley. The nature of Jourdain’s injury was not revealed. Simon vs. Smotherman is slated for the preliminary card, which airs on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. The main card will be broadcast on ESPN and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Smotherman has split his first two Octagon appearances. “The Baby-Faced Killer” took a three-round verdict over Jake Hadley in his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 245 last October before dropping a unanimous decision to Serhiy Sidey at UFC Des Moines on May 3. Smotherman has compiled a 12-5 career mark while competing primarily for the Fury FC organization.

The 32-year-old Simon snapped a three-bout skid in his most recent outing, when he scored a first-round knockout of Javid Basharat at UFC Seattle on Feb. 22. The American Top Team Portland representative owns notable triumphs over the likes of Merab Dvalishvili, Montel Jackson, Ray Borg and Raphael Assuncao.