Ellenberger Replaces Foster, Meets Pierson at UFC 129

Jake Ellenberger (right) will meet Toronto’s Sean Pierson on hostile turf. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

The UFC announced the switch Wednesday on its official website after Foster revealed via Twitter on Tuesday that his pre-fight MRI had detected a minor brain hemorrhage.

The event takes place April 30 at Rogers Centre in Toronto and is topped by a pair of UFC title bouts, with 170-pound ruler Georges St. Pierre taking on Jake Shields and 145-pound champ Jose Aldo defending against Mark Hominick.

Ellenberger, 26, holds a record of 23-5 and enters the short-notice contest on a three-fight win streak. Since dropping a narrow split decision to Carlos Condit in his September 2009 Octagon debut, the heavy-handed Nebraskan has notched TKO victories over Mike Pyle and John Howard. Most recently, Ellenberger earned a split verdict against previously unbeaten Brazilian Carlos Eduardo Rocha at February’s UFC 126.

Pierson, a native Torontonian, made his UFC debut in December after more than 10 years as a professional. The 35-year-old former police officer took a unanimous decision over Matt Riddle at UFC 124, his sixth consecutive victory. Pierson’s 11-4 ledger includes six wins by way of knockout and four via submission.