Nik Lentz Gets New UFC 203 Opponent After Mairbek Taisumov Pulled

UFC lightweight Nik Lentz has a new UFC 203 opponent after Mairbek Taisumov was pulled from the card due to visa issues.

UFC officials confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Friday that Taisumov, who hails from Russia, was denied a visa to the United States for the second time this year, forcing him out of the bout with Lentz. They later announced that promotional newcomer Michael McBride would step up on short notice to keep Lentz on the Cleveland fight card, slated for next Saturday.

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Though he’s spent much of his career in the midwest circuit, McBride (8-1) is on a four-fight winning streak that includes a fight under the Bellator banner.

Following some ups and downs at featherweight, Lentz (26-7-2) recently returned to the lightweight division with a victory over Danny Castillo.

Hometown hero Stipe Miocic defends his UFC heavyweight title for the first time against Alistair Overeem in the UFC 203 main event, which takes place at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.

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