Alvarez Replaces Neal At UFC 330 On Two Weeks Notice

Joel Alvarez will replace the injured Geoff Neal against Chidi Njokuani at UFC 330 on two weeks notice.

Spanish reporter Alvaro Colmenero first confirmed the matchup for ABC network. Neal pulled out with an undisclosed injury, per MMA Mania, opening the door for Alvarez to salvage the welterweight bout scheduled for Philadelphia on August 15th.

Alvarez Steps Off Makhachev Training Camp

The Spanish prospect has been working with Islam Makhachev's team at Team Khabib, brought in to mimic Ian Machado Garry's tall, rangy frame ahead of the UFC 330 main event. Now he fights on the same card as the lightweight champion.

Alvarez holds a 4-1 record since losing to Arman Tsarukyan in 2022. His most recent outing ended in a submission defeat to Yaroslav Amosov at UFC 328 in May. Njokuani enters on a two-fight skid after dropping a decision to Carlos Leal at UFC Texas in February.

The Philadelphia card also features Mackenzie Dern defending the women's strawweight title against Gillian Robertson, Edson Barboza meeting Esteban Ribovics, and Vicente Luque taking on Tresan Gore.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Makhachev sparring partner Joel Alvarez steps in to replace Geoff Neal at UFC 330