Tony Ferguson to Face Newcomer Landon Vannata at UFC Fight Night Sioux Falls

Tony Ferguson will welcome Landon Vannata to the Octagon on July 13 at UFC Fight Night in Sioux Falls.

Promotion officials announced the new matchup on Tuesday. Vannata replaces Michael Chiesa, who was forced to withdraw from the lightweight bout after injuring his back in training.

Ferguson-Vannata will serve as the card’s co-main event, while a bantamweight clash pitting John Lineker against Michael McDonald has been elevated to headlining status. The event takes place at Denny Sanford Premier Center and airs on Fox Sports 1.

Anchored at Jackson-Wink MMA, Vannata has compiled an 8-0 mark since turning pro in 2012. The Toms River, N.J., native has earned victories in a number of promotions during that time, including Resurrection Fighting Alliance, Jackson’s MMA Series, Pancrase and XFC. Most recently, Vannata scored a first-round TKO over Ramico Blackmon at an event in Colorado on April 30. All but one of his triumphs have come inside the distance.

Ferguson, meanwhile, has established himself as a top contender in the UFC’s lightweight division with a seven-fight winning streak that includes triumphs over Edson Barboza, Josh Thomson and Gleison Tibau.