After injury forced Geoff Neal out of his highly anticipated bout with Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC Fight Night 217 , many believed it would be nearly impossible to find a replacement on just over two weeks’ notice. There haven’t been many people pleading for the assignment against the undefeated rising contender, but Bryan Barberena is one name who has put his hand up in hopes of having the matchup come to fruition. There’s a catch to Barberena’s availability, however, and that’s his inability to make the welterweight limit, where the original fight with Neal was scheduled. Barberena (18-9 MMA, 9-7 UFC) said he can be ready to go, he just needs a 10-pound buffer and proposed the contest with Rakhmonov (15-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) happen at a 180-pound catchweight (via Twitter ): Neal out. We were supposed to fight before on short notice
More: