Talk about "Brutal" timing.
Johnny Bedford was hit with the old fight card switcheroo, after his original opponent for UFC 159, Erik Perez, was forced to bow out of this Saturday's (April 27, 2013) FX channel-televised contest at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, due to a knee infection.
Taking his place is fellow Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 14 contestant Bryan Caraway.
A "depressed" Perez explains what happened via his official Facebook page:
"I was more than prepared for this fight, but due to an infection on my knee, I have decided to withdraw from the fight because it has been getting worse and worse every day. I am currently admitted in a hospital and very depressed. I hope you all forgive me for withdrawing from the fight and I thank all of you for your support and I hope that I recover fast! God first."
Caraway (17-6) is 2-1 as a UFC fighter, having last dropped a split decision to Takeya Mizugaki at the UFC on FUEL TV 8 event earlier this year in Japan. Bedford (19-9-1), meanwhile, is a perfect 2-0 since his 2011 debut at the TUF 14 live finale.
For more on this weekend's UFC 159 event including the full fight card and line up, click here and here.