UFC 158: Johny Hendricks vs. Carlos Condit set after Saffiedine turned down Condit

It didn't take long for the UFC to figure what to do with their UFC 158 welterweight problem. Earlier today, it came out that Canadian Rory MacDonald was out of UFC 158 with a neck injury, leaving Carlos Condit without an opponent. There was quickly a bunch of speculation about who could step into the bout that wasn't already on the card. But the UFC is deciding to go with someone who was already booked for the card - Johny Hendricks. Damon Martin tweeted the info:

BREAKING: Carlos Condit will face Johny Hendricks - Jake Ellenberger will get a replacement opponent. #UFC

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) February 19, 2013

Hendricks (14-1) has won five fights in a row, with the most recent being a huge knockout of Martin Kampmann in just 46 seconds at UFC 154. It was thought that Hendricks was clearly the number one contender after the win, but champion Georges St. Pierre (who defeated Condit on the same card) wanted to fight Nick Diaz instead. So now instead of a rematch between MacDonald and Condit, we'll get a battle of the top two welterweights in the world outside of GSP.

Now people can continue with the speculation, but this time it will be in regards to an opponent for Ellenberger.

UPDATE: According John Morgan of MMA Junkie, Dana White said that former Strikeforce welterweight champion Tarec Saffiedine was offered the fight with Condit but turned it down:

Just spoke with @danawhite, who informed me Johny Hendricks has taken fight with Carlos Condit - and that Tarec Saffiedine turned it down.

— John Morgan (@MMAjunkieJohn) February 19, 2013