Brunson (right) (photo courtesy Showtime / Strikeforce)

By FCF Staff

The line-up for UFC 155 has undergone a change with less than two weeks to go before the card takes place on December 29th, as Derek Brunson is reportedly stepping in for the injured Karlos Vemola. The middleweight had been scheduled to fight Chris Leben at the event, which will be hosted by MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

USA Today is reporting the change-up. The UFC has not made any official announcement regarding the bout.

Brunson (9-2) is looking to rebound from back-to-back losses to Kendall Grove and most recently, former Strikeforce champ Ronaldo Souza, who knocked him out at a Strikeforce event in August.

Prior to the defeats the Jackson’s MMA fighter had won three straight under the Strikeforce banner.

Leben (22-8) hasn’t competed since November, 2011, when he was stopped by Mark Munoz (corner stoppage) at UFC 138. The veteran has been serving a one year suspension after he tested positive for prescription painkillers following the loss.

The resilient and renowned fighter has gone 3-2 in his last five bouts, which includes victories over Wanderlei Silva, Yoshihiro Akiyama and Aaron Simpson.