The UFC’s return to Sweden has undergone yet another last-minute change.
Combat Press has learned that unbeaten featherweight Charles Rosa has been signed by the promotion to take on Dennis Siver at UFC Fight Night 53.
The news comes just days after it was announced that France’s Taylor Lapilus would replace Robert Whiteford against Siver, but it appears as though the Swedish MMA Federation (SMMAF) would not allow the fight to take place. SMMAF President Johan Halldin told MMAViking.com that the Federation never approved Lapilus to face Siver.
“The SMMAF has previously approved the match-up between Dennis Siver and Robert Whiteford for an event in Stockholm on Oct. 4 to be hosted by the American promoter UFC. Since then Mr. Siver’s opponent has withdrawn due to injury. On Sept. 24, the SMMAF received a formal request for a change of match for Mr. Siver and the request has not yet been processed. Reports in the media saying that the match is already approved is incorrect.”
The 28-year-old Rosa steps in on short notice riding the momentum of nine straight wins to begin his career. The American Top Team product has stopped all nine of his fights, including six via submission. He was last in action in August, scoring a first-round armbar finish of Jake Constant at CES MMA 25.
Siver, meanwhile, will compete for the first time in 2014. The Russian-German fighter was suspended for nine months following his win over Manny Gamburyan at UFC 168 due to a failed drug test. Siver tested positive for human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).
UFC Fight Night 53 takes place Saturday, Oct. 4 from the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm, Sweden. The entire fight card will stream live on the UFC’s digital network, UFC Fight Pass. The Siver-Rose match-up will take place on the preliminary card portion of the event.