Costa Philippou (12-2 1 NC, 5-1 UFC) has been forced to withdraw from UFC On FX 8 in two weeks due to a cut suffered over his eye during training. MMAFighting.com reported the news early Friday morning.
Philippou was scheduled to fight Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza (17-3 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) in the night’s co-main event. Brazilian reporter Jorge Correa is reporting that Souza will now fight Chris Camozzi (19-5, 6-2 UFC) at the event. Camozzi was originally scheduled to fight Rafael Natal (15-4-1, 3-2-1 UFC) at the event, and Natal will now instead fight the debuting Joao Zeferino (13-4, 0-0 UFC) on the card.
Philippou was looking to extend his five-fight win streak while Souza was making his UFC debut after moving over from the Strikeforce promotion. Instead, Camozzi will be looking to extend his four-fight win streak against Souza, who comes in riding three straight victories.
Meanwhile, Natal looks for his second straight win after submitting Sean Spencer at UFC On FOX 6 in January, but will have to do so against a tough Zeferino, who has won 12 of his past 13 fights.
UFC On FX 8 takes place on May 18 in Jaragua do Sul, Brazil and airs on FX, FUEL TV and Facebook. Vitor Belfort meets Luke Rockhold in the night’s main event.
