John Makdessi Replaces Injured Nurmagomedov, Faces Donald Cerrone at UFC 187

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John Makdessi has agreed to replace the injured Khabib Nurmagomedov and face Donald Cerrone on approximately three weeks’ notice at UFC 187.

The Las Vegas-based promotion revealed the new lightweight matchup on Thursday. UFC 187 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 23 and features a pair of title bouts, as Anthony Johnson meets Daniel Cormier for light heavyweight gold, while Chris Weidman defends the middleweight strap against Vitor Belfort.

Makdessi is fresh off a first-round technical knockout triumph over Shane Campbell at UFC 186 this past Saturday. The Tristar Gym product has won four of his last five bouts in the Octagon overall, including triumphs over Sam Stout and Daron Cruickshank. Nine of “The Bull’s” 13 career victories have come by knockout or technical knockout.

“I want to thank the UFC and [Donald Cerrone] for this great opportunity,” Makdessi wrote on Twitter. “This will be an exciting fight for the fans.”

Cerrone, meanwhile, has won seven straight fights since falling to current 155-pound king Rafel dos Anjos via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night “Condit vs. Kampmann 2” in August 2013. Most recently, “Cowboy” outpointed Benson Henderson at UFC Fight Night in Boston on Jan. 18.