Miocic (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

UFC 196 has undergone a big change, less than two weeks out from the event, as the promotion has confirmed that Cain Velasquez is injured. Stipe Miocic has agreed to face heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum on short notice.

According to the official announcement, Velasquez has been sidelined due to a back injury. The former heavyweight champ has battled injuries over the last few years, and as a result, he’s only fought once since 2013. That was last June when he lost the title to Werdum (20-5-1) via a third round, guillotine choke.

Miocic (14-2) was in action not long ago, however, as he quickly put away Andrei Arlovski at UFC 195 earlier this month. The Ohio fighter has gone 4-1 in his last 5 fights.

UFC 196 will be hosted by the MGM Grand Garden Arena on February 6th.