UFC Vegas 69 has a new lightweight matchup after fighter pulls out

UFC Vegas 69 is set to take place next weekend at the Apex center. It will be headlined by surging flyweight contender Erin Blanchfield and former title challenger Taila Santos.

The card was initially set to host a lightweight bout between promotional veteran Jim Miller and Gabriel Benitez. However, Benitez was forced to withdraw from the bout last week due to injury.

Miller will now face off against Alexander Hernandez on short notice. The bout will remain at lightweight, as reported by MMA journalist Alex Behunin:

"Alexander Hernandez will be stepping in on short notice to fight Jim Miller next Saturday... The fight will be at 155 [pounds], no catchweight."

See the tweets below:

The news that Benitez was forced to pull out of the contest next weekend was reported by Carlos Contreras Legaspi. He tweeted the following:

"Gabriel Benítez is OFF the Jim Miller fight for the Feb 18th card... He has a small injury, they are looking for a fight for him now in May [Translated tweet]."

See the posts below:

Hernandez last competed at featherweight against Billy Quarantillo. He was knocked out in the second round of their bout. Hernandez will no doubt welcome a fight back at 155 pounds, as he has a large frame at lightweight, let alone at featherweight.

Jim Miller, meanwhile, will be hoping to extend his three-fight winning streak against Hernandez and add to the several UFC records that he already holds, including most total wins and most bouts.

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Drew Dober eager to replace Dan Hooker against Jalin Turner, but not at UFC 285

Drew Dober has caught wind of Dan Hooker's announcement that has withdrawn from his bout with Jalin Turner at UFC 285 next month. 'The Hangman' suffered a broken hand this week and his return date is unclear, which has left Jalin Turner without an opponent.

Dober stated that he will not be able to fight in March, but has offered to move the fight to April if Turner doesn't mind. Although Dober did not state which event he would like to appear in, it seems that he's eyeing the UFC 287 pay-per-view event on April 9.

The card will be headlined by the rematch between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya, and will feature an epic welterweight clash between Gilbert Burns and Jorge Masvidal in the co-main event.

Drew Dober took to Twitter and said this:

"[Dan] Hookers out. Renato [Moicano] is ghosting. @JalinTurner if you wanna stay in the game I'm down to scrap in April. Know you wouldn't be on UFC 285 but your camp won't go to waste."

See the tweet below: