LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jose Aldo will defend the UFC’s new featherweight title in a New Year’s Day bout against Josh Grispi.
Aldo was added to the UFC 125 card on Tuesday for the mixed martial arts league’s show at the MGM Grand Garden.
Aldo (18-1) is generally considered the most dominant fighter in World Extreme Cagefighting, the lighter-weight promotion owned by the UFC. When the UFC announced plans last week to merge the WEC into the parent promotion, Aldo was named the UFC’s first 145-pound champion.
Aldo’s bout will be the co-feature at UFC 125 after Shane Carwin dropped out of his heavyweight fight with Roy Nelson, citing a back injury that required surgery Tuesday.
Frankie Edgar will defend his UFC lightweight title against Gray Maynard in the main event at UFC 125.
