UFC officials announced today that veteran bantamweight Jeff Hougland was forced out of his fight with Mike Easton at this Saturday's UFC on Versus 6 card in Washington, DC. He will be replaced by newcomer Byron Bloodworth (6-1). The fight will still take place on the preliminary card.

Bloodworth is a North Carolina native that trains in Atlanta under Roan Carneiro. He began his career with three straight wins, but got submitted by Jon Queiroz in early 2010. He rebounded well though, winning his next three bouts and earning this opportunity in the UFC.

His opponent Easton (10-1) trains out of Alliance MMA in San Diego with the likes of UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, who will be defending his title in the main event of this card against Demetrious Johnson. Easton hasn't fought in almost two years due to multiple surgeries on an elbow injury.

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