Montel Jackson out of UFC Vegas 80, Alatengheili steps in to fight Chris Gutierrez at UFC Vegas 81

03/10/2023 15:00

UFC 279: Anheliger v Alatengheili — Alatangheili | Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Chris Gutierrez has a new opponent and another week to wait for his next fight.

MMA Fighting's Mike Heck confirmed with sources with knowledge of the change that Gutierrez (19-5-2) is booked to fight Alatengheili (16-8-2) in a bantamweight bout at UFC Vegas 81 on Oct. 14 following the withdrawal of Montel Jackson, who was originally scheduled to fight Gutierrez this Saturday.

The reason for Jackson's withdrawal from UFC Vegas 80 is unknown. Eurosport was first to report the news.

Gutierrez looks to bounce back from his first setback in five years, a unanimous decision loss to Pedro Munhoz that snapped an eight-fight unbeaten streak. "El Guapo" had been making a steady march up the rankings with knockouts of Frankie Edgar and Danaa Batgerel before being stifled by Munhoz.

Alatengheili returns to action for the first time since September 2022. He has lost just once in six UFC appearances and is coming off of back-to-back wins over Chad Anheliger and Kevin Croom.