We're just chock full of fight announcements and injury news lately, and this piece falls under the latter. Flyweight title contender John Moraga has been forced out of his UFC on Fox 9 preliminary card showdown with Darren Uyenoyama. Replacing him is Turkish-American prospect Alp Ozkilic:
No official word on Moraga's injury, but it means that Moraga (13-2) will end 2013 with just one fight - A 5th round armbar loss to Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title. It stands as the latest finish in UFC history. Moraga's prior UFC performances were stoppages of Ulysses Gomez and Chris Cariaso.
Ozkilic (8-1) is a two time NJCAA all-american wrestler out of Nassau Community College in Long Island, New York. His MMA career began in 2010, and he started out unbeaten in his first 5 fights. His only defeat came by decision against UFC bantamweight Chico Camus, but he's won his last 3 since then, including a 30 second TKO of ex-UFC and WEC fighter Antonio Banuelos.
Uyenoyama (8-4) won his UFC debut at bantamweight against Norifumi Yamamoto before dropping to flyweight, where he submitted Phil Harris but was later dismantled by Joseph Benavidez.
Speaking of Benavidez and Johnson, those two will rematch for Mighty Mouse's flyweight crown in the night's main event from the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, CA.