Anna Melisano steps in to save UFC Oklahoma City bout
Anna Melisano will replace Veronica Hardy in a strawweight bout against Dione Barbosa at UFC Oklahoma City on July 18, both fighters confirmed on social media after MMA Fighting's Guilherme Cruz reported the switch.
Hardy withdrew after sustaining a cut during training, she posted Monday. The card takes place at the Paycom Center and is headlined by former champions Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman in a five-round middleweight clash.
Melisano's road from TUF 34 to short-notice return
Melisano, 29, carries a 6-1 professional record and appeared recently on The Ultimate Fighter 34, where coach Michael Bisping selected her first overall among strawweights. She dropped her opening fight on the show via first-round submission to Melissa Amaya.
Barbosa holds a 9-4 mark and has won three of five fights inside the octagon. She enters on the back of a decision victory over Melissa Gatto in April, though her UFC tenure has alternated wins and losses since she joined the promotion.
Original reporting:
Get Ringside Updates
Fight announcements, results, and analysis delivered to your inbox. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.