Johnny Bedford was in need of a new opponent for UFC on Fox 2, and now he has one, with the announcement that the UFC has signed Canadian submission specialist, Mitch Gagnon, to face Bedford on short notice in a bantamweight bout on the January 28th card in Chicago:

With Eddie Wineland sidelined, one of Canada's very best bantamweights, Mitch Gagnon, has stepped in to fill the spot against Johnny Bedford at the UFC on Fox event January 28th in Chicago. Verbal agreements are in for the bout between Bedford, a TUF 14 standout, and the 8-1 Gagnon, who will look to extend his six-fight win streak.

Gagnon is a Montreal native, but trains in Ontario with Team Shredder. In his nine career fights, Gagnon has lost only once (by decision), and finished all eight other fights by submission, seven of which came in the first round. Gagnon appears to favor chokes as his weapon of choice, with five wins by guillotine and two wins by rear naked choke. Some of our readers may remember Gagnon appearing on the 2011 BloodyElbow.com World Scouting Report as a featherweight (where he was ranked as the #10 prospect), but he is now competing at 135 lbs.

Mitch Gagnon (8-1)
W David Harris (sub - guillotine) - Ringside MMA 12
W Rejean Groulx (sub - slam) - Ringside MMA 10
W Guillaume Lamarche (sub - guillotine) - Ringside MMA 6

UFC on Fox 2 coverage