Lance Benoist Steps In For Dan Miller, Faces Sean Pierson At UFC 152

Canadian welterweight Sean Pierson was left without an opponent after Dan Miller withdrew following news his son would receive a kidney transplant. Today Pierson does have his new opponent on this rapidly-changing card, as Lance Benoist has stepped in on short notice. (Via MMA Weekly)

UFC officials on Friday, less than 12 hours after announcing Miller’s withdrawal, revealed that Lance Benoist has agreed to step in to fight Pierson.

Benoist (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) lost a split decision to Seth Baczynski this past June in a fight that included two illegal knees by the Missouri native. He debuted successfully in September with a Fight of the Night victory over Matt Riddle at UFC Fight Night 25.

Pierson (12-6 MMA, 2-2 UFC) sent Jake Hecht out of the UFC and kept his own job with the promotion. The 36-year-old also defeated Matt Riddle in his debut in Dana White's personal FOTN from UFC 124, only to suffer lopsided defeats to Jake Ellenberger and Dong Hyun Kim.

Here's a look at the current lineup for UFC 152:

Main Card

Jon Jones vs. Vitor Belfort (UFC Light Heavyweight Championship)
Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez (UFC Flyweight Championship)
Michael Bisping vs. Brian Stann
Evan Dunham vs. T.J. Grant
Matt Hamill vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
Cub Swanson vs. Charles Oliveira

Preliminary Card

Igor Pokrajac vs. Vinny Magalhaes
Sean Pierson vs. Lance Benoist
Jim Hettes vs. Marcus Brimage
Charlie Brenneman vs. Kyle Noke
Mitch Gagnon vs. Walel Watson
Simeon Thoresen vs. Seth Baczynski

SBN coverage of UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort

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