https://mmadna.nl/marc-diakiese-krijgt-nieuwe-tegenstander-na-uitvallen-stevie-ray-voor-ufc-london/ SIR Marc Diakiese gets a new opponent after the failure of Stevie Ray for UFC London Marc Diakiese needs a new opponent for UFC Fight Night 171 in London on March 21, 2020. Stevie Ray has withdrawn from the fight for unknown reasons. The UFC has since found a new opponent for Diakiese. Who that is will be announced later. updated to add: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020...ray-vs-marc-diakiese-ufc-london-cage-warriors Cage Warriors champ Jai Herbert replaces Stevie Ray, takes on Marc Diakiese at UFC London Jai Herbert will get a shot at the big leagues. Herbert (10-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC), the Cage Warriors lightweight champion, has stepped in to replace an injured Stevie Ray (23-9 MMA, 7-4 UFC) to take on Marc Diakiese (14-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) in a lightweight bout at UFC on ESPN+ 29. MMA Junkie confirmed the booking with a person with knowledge of the matchup following an initial reported from Newsome. UFC on ESPN+ 29 takes place March 21 at The O2 in London. The card streams on ESPN+. Herbert won the vacant Cage Warriors lightweight belt this past summer when he stopped Jack Grant. Ag Cage Warriors 109 this past October, he defended it with a first-round finish of former UFC and Bellator fighter Cain Carrizosa. The 31-year-old is on a six-fight winning streak. Diakiese, a former BAMMA lightweight champion, has back-to-back decision wins over Joseph Duffy and Lando Vannata. Prior to that, the 26-year-old was on a three-fight losing skid.
Fun fact: I met Stevie Ray in an airport once. I worked there whilst I was at university and he was flying out. My man was flying with EasyJet. Chuckled to myself and thought about Dana’s snow filled driveway. I guess it’s true what they say:
This was Ray's opportunity to make some noise and not just be a prelim fighter. Must be a serious injury
Herbert could well be the tougher fight from what I've seen of him, very well deserved UFC opportunity.
