UFC 204 Fight Saved by Last-Minute Replacement

Russell Doane has agreed to step in on just five days notice to save the UFC 204 pay-per-view opener.

Mirsad Bektic had been slated to open the UFC 204 main card against rising U.K. star Arnold Allen, but Allen had to withdraw last week due to undisclosed reasons.

Undefeated Canadian Jeremy Kennedy agreed to step in and take the fight. But within 24 hours of announcing him as a replacement, Kennedy suffered an undisclosed injury that took him out of the fight as well.

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Now, just a few short days later, the UFC and Bektic hope that the third time is the charm.

UFC officials on Tuesday announced that Hawaiian Russell Doane (14-6) had agreed to step in and face Bektic (10-0) with just five days to go until fight time.

Bektic has been rocketing up the featherweight ranks, winning all three of his UFC bouts to date. Doane, on the other hand, is on a three-fight losing streak, but likely earned some good will with the promotion by agreeing to save the fight.

Middleweight champion Michael Bisping headlines the UFC 204 fight card, putting his belt on the line for the first time in a rematch with Dan Henderson on Saturday in Manchester, England.

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