Ryan LaFlare Agrees to Quick Return, Replaces Kelvin Gastelum at UFC on Fox 9

Kelvin Gastelum is one of several fighters that were recently forced off of the UFC on Fox 9 fight card, but moving swiftly, UFC officials have found a replacement for him.

Much like Bobby Green making a quick turn to step in for an injured Jamie Varner, Ryan LaFlare has agreed to step in for Gastelum to fight Court McGee, according to UFC officials.

LaFlare vs. McGee is expected to take a slot on the preliminary portion of the Dec. 14 fight card that emanates from Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Calif.

The card is headlined by UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson putting his belt on the line in a rematch with challenger Joseph Benavidez, another bout that found its way onto the card due to injury. The original main event fell apart when lightweight champion Anthony Pettis withdrew from his fight with Josh Thomson due to an injured knee.

LaFlare (9-0) makes his way onto the card just days removed from the Nov. 9 UFC Fight Night 32 card in Brazil. LaFlare kept his unbeaten streak intact by defeating Brazilian Santiago Ponzinibbio on his home turf.

McGee (16-3) won the eleventh season of The Ultimate Fighter by defeating Kris McCray via submission in the second round.  He then won his next two outings, but after losing back-to-back fights to Costa Philippou and Nick Ring, he decided to drop from middleweight down to the 170-pound division.  Since changing weight classes, McGee is on a two-fight winning streak with victories over Josh Neer and Robert Whittaker.