UFC Vegas 101 sees 2 bouts changed a week from event

The first UFC event of 2025 has undergone a couple of changes.

MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck confirmed with sources with knowledge of the new booking that a welterweight matchup between Preston Parsons (11-5) and Jacobe Smith (9-0) is being targeted for UFC Vegas 101, which takes place at UFC APEX next Saturday. Smith, a recent Contender Series signing, steps in as a replacement for Andreas Gustafsson, who withdrew from the card for undisclosed reasons.

The matchup was first reported by MMA Junkie.

Parsons makes his fifth UFC appearance, having alternated wins and losses during his run with the promotion thus far. He fell to 2-3 inside the octagon after a unanimous decision loss to Oban Elliott this past July at UFC 304.

Smith is undefeated in nine pro bouts, with seven wins coming by way of knockout. This past February, he needed just 18 seconds to finish Jared McLoughlin and capped his night off with an elaborate celebration that was considerably longer than the fight itself. He earned his Contender Series contract with a second-round TKO of Christien Savoie.

Also stepping in on short notice is lightweight veteran Joe Solecki (13-5). He replaces Yanal Ashmouz, who withdrew from his bout with Nurullo Aliev (9-0).

Aliev announced the change on social media and Solecki later confirmed the news via his Instagram Stories.

The undefeated Aliev seeks his second UFC win, while Solecki is out to stop a two-fight skid after back-to-back losses to Grant Dawson and Drakkar Klose.

UFC Vegas 101 is headlined by a strawweight rematch between Mackenzie Dern and Amanda Ribas.