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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Thiago Alves was pulled from the UFC 111 card this morning due to a failed CT scan, and while his opponent Jon Fitch was expected to just be pulled from the card, he's now got a new opponent.
According to a report from MMAJunkie.com, Fitch will be taking Jake Ellenberger's place on the main card to face Ben Saunders. Saunders reportedly asked for the bout when Alves had to bow out this morning.
Ellenberger will receive his "to show" and "win" money due to the last minute change, per the report.
Fitch has won three straight fights since his loss to Georges St. Pierre back in 2008, and overall he has 11 wins in the UFC.
Saunders rebounded nicely last November from his first career loss to Mike Swick last June, destroying Marcus Davis in the first round of their bout at UFC 106. It was his second KO victory by way of his vicious knees in the UFC.
This fight is put together despite the UFC's earlier announcement that no replacement would be found for Fitch.
UFC 111 airs live on Spike TV and pay-per-view on Saturday, headlined by a Welterweight Title bout between the aforementioned GSP and Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy.
Penick's Analysis: It sucks for Ellenberger, but this makes for a hell of a replacement fight. Saunders is a very dangerous opponent for Fitch, especially considering they haven't prepared for one another. He's just as dangerous with his striking as Alves, though they are different with how they go about that. Saunders is very good with his knees and his Muay Thai, and he'll need to try to keep this fight on the feet against the very good wrestling of Jon Fitch. It's a bigger fight for Saunders, for sure, and at least for Ellenberger the UFC is taking care of him financially for getting pushed aside.
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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