Iwo Baraniewski already has a new name eager to spoil his undefeated record.
The fast-rising light heavyweight prospect is now set to fight Junior Tafa (7-5) at UFC Vegas 118 on June 6 following the withdrawal of originally scheduled opponent Billy Elekana. See the official announcement below.
No reason was provided for Elekana’s withdrawal.
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Baraniewski (8-0) has emerged as one to watch at 205 pounds. The 27-year-old Polish prospect scored a 20-second knockout on Dana White’s Contender Series to earn a UFC contract, then scored fast knockouts of Ibo Aslan and Austen Lane, with the latter succumbing to Baraniewski’s strikes in just 28 seconds. All of Baraniewski’s wins have come via first-round finish.
As for Tafa, he replaces Elekana, the man who defeated him at UFC 325 this past February. Tafa made a successful return to action just three months later with a first-round knockout of Kevin Christian, and now competes for the third time in just four months as he aims to hand Baraniewski his first loss.
UFC Vegas 118 takes place at Meta Apex in Las Vegas on June 6 and is headlined by a welterweight bout between former 170-pound champion Belal Muhammad and Gabriel Bonfim.
See the updated lineup below (bout order still to be finalized).
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Belal Muhammad vs. Gabriel Bonfim
Brendan Allen vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
Bryce Mitchell vs. Victor Henry
Iwo Baraniewski vs. Junior Tafa
Imanol Rodriguez vs. Matt Schnell
Marcus McGhee vs. John Yannis
Bruno Silva vs. Edgar Chairez
Jordan Leavitt vs. Joanderson Brito
Fares Ziam vs. Tom Nolan
Ketlen Souza vs. Ariane Carnelossi
Priscila Cachoeira vs. Chelsea Chandler
Jeisla Chaves vs. Yuneisy Duben
