Injury has forced Antonio Braga Neto (9-1) out of his bout with Derek Brunson (10-2) at UFC Fight Night 31: UFC Fight for the Troops 3 on November 6th at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. Stepping in for the injured Neto is UFC newcomer, Brian Houston (4-0). The fight will most likely take place on FOX Sports 1.
Brunson made his UFC debut against Chris Leban at UFC 155 back in December. Although it was not his most impressive victory, Brunson snapped a two fight losing streak. Brunson has been looking to compete inside the octagon again for awhile now. Brunson was supposed to fight Ronny Markes, but a car accident forced Markes out of the bout on UFC on FUEL TV 10. Following that, Brunson suffered an injury which took him out of his UFC 164 fight with Yoel Romero. Brunson will finally get his chance to earn his second UFC win against the much less experienced, Brian Houston.
Like Brunson, Brian Houston suffered an injury which kept him out of his last fight in the UFC. Houston was supposed to replace Brunson and fight Yoel Romero at UFC 164, but an unknown medical issue kept him out of the bout. Houston has only been competing as a professional mixed martial artists since 2012, but has won three strait fights via TKO/KO. Brunson is going to be a big step-up in competition for the heavy handed UFC newcomer.
