Cody Stamann has a new opponent for UFC Fight Night 184.
Originally scheduled to fight Andre Ewell on Saturday’s card, Stamann (17-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) will now fight promotional newcomer Askar Askar instead in a featherweight bout. The event takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Ewell was pulled from the fight following a positive COVID-19 test, according to his management, Dodge Sports. Ewell has tested negative twice since the positive test but was removed from the matchup for precautionary reasons. He is asymptomatic and quarantining in Las Vegas.
MMA DNA was the first to report Ewell’s withdrawal.
Despite testing negative for COVID-19 twice following an initial positive result, Andre Ewell has been forced from his scheduled bout this weekend against Cody Stamann. This is due to the UFC health protocols, which mandate a 10-day quarantine following a positive result.
— Michael Fiedel (@MichaelFiedel) February 1, 2021
Two people with knowledge of the new matchup confirmed the new booking to MMA Junkie on Tuesday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Fighter Path was first to report Askar’s rol.
Stamann, 31, enters the fight coming off a unanimous decision loss to Jimmie Rivera in July. Prior to being paired up with Ewell, Stamann was supposed to face Merab Dvalishvili. The matchup was canceled after Dvalishvili was diagnosed with COVID-19.
Askar (11-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is an alumnus of numerous notable regional promotions including LFA, Island Fights, Titan FC, and Victory FC. In 11 pro wins, Askar has six finishes including four knockouts/TKOs and two submissions. Born in Palestine, Askar grew up in Illinois, where he continues to reside and train to this day.
With the change, the UFC Fight Night 184 lineup includes:
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)
- Alistair Overeem vs. Alexander Volkov
- Frankie Edgar vs. Cory Sandhagen
- Macy Chiasson vs. Marion Reneau
- Manel Kape vs. Alexandre Pantoja
- Askar Askar vs. Cody Stamann
- Beneil Dariush vs. Diego Ferreira
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET)
- Clay Guida vs. Michael Johnson
- Danilo Marques vs. Mike Rodriguez
- Martin Day vs. Timur Valiev
- Justin Jaynes vs. Devonte Smith
- Joselyne Edwards vs. Karol Rosa
- Molly McCann vs. Lara Procopio
- Seungwoo Choi vs. Youssef Zalal
- Denys Bondar vs. Ode Osbourne
