Ferreira (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Just a couple of weeks out from the August 3rd, UFC 163 event in Rio de Janeiro, the card has received another change. According to multiple reports, Clint Hester has been forced to drop out of the event due to an injury, and Thiago Santos will take his place. The UFC has also confirmed the switch.

The UFC newcomer will battle former TUF Brazil winner Cezar Ferreira at the upcoming card, which will be hosted by the city’s HSBC Arena.

Ferreira (5-2) hasn’t competed since he outscored Sergio Moraes at UFC 147 last summer to win TUF Brazil.

Santos, on the other hand, will make his way to the UFC having stopped Denis Figueira da Silva in his last outing, which took place last July. “Marreta” will be moving up from welterweight to middleweight for the UFC 163 tilt.

The upcoming event will feature featherweight champion Jose Aldo taking on Chan Sung Jung in the main event.