Former UFC lightweight standout Josh Neer has agreed to replace Ryan Ford against Anselmo Martinez in a welterweight interim title bout set for Shark Fights 8: 'Super Brawl' from the Fair Park Coliseum in Lubbock, Texas, on Friday, Feb. 5.

Ford was forced to withdraw from the event following an unexpected death in the family.

Following a gutsy and hard-fought win over Mac Danzig at UFC Fight Night 17: "Lauzon vs. Stephens" in early 2009, the returning Neer had inked a four-fight contract extension that was expected to keep the 155-pound dynamo inside the Octagon for an additional four fights.

The promotion would only give him two.

After losing back-to-back fights to Kurt Pellegrino (UFC 101) and Gleison Tibau (UFC 104), "The Dentist" was released from his Zuffa contract. And Shark Fights wasted no time in scooping up the well-traveled veteran, who win, lose or draw always brings the fight.

And it's been proven time and time again that guys who fight like Neer does will never be unemployed.

But is it enough to become the promotion's interim champion? Not if Anselmo Martinez has anything to say about it.

Martinez is coming off a technical knockout win over Lorenzo Borgomeo at Shark Fight 7 back in September 2009, clinching his fourth straight win under the Shark Fights label. Martinez has not seen the judges cards in any of his six fights.

Having said that, it won't come as a surprise if this one ends early -- or gets "Fight of the Night" on Feb. 5. The winner is expected to challenge Shark Fights welterweight champion TJ Waldburger in a title unification bout later this year.

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