Blackledge Out, Newcomer Maldonado In against McSweeney at UFC 120

Brazilian light heavyweight Fabio Maldonado (17-3) has signed with the UFC and will make his promotional debut against James McSweeney at UFC 120.

McSweeney (4-5, 1-1 UFC) was originally scheduled to face newcomer Tom Blackledge, but Blackledge pulled out of the fight for undisclosed reasons.

Maldonado is a Team Nogueira member. The striker has finished 11 of his 17 victories by (T)KO, and is currently on a ten-fight win streak with nine finishes.

McSweeney last three fights:
Loss (TKO - Punches) Travis Browne - Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale
Win (TKO - Knee and Punches) Darrill Schoonover - Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale
Loss (Submission - Rear-Naked Choke) Ricardo Romero - Ring of Combat 24


Maldonado last three fights:
Win (KO - Punch) Nelson Martins - First Class Fight 4
Win (Submission - Guillotine Choke) Jackson Mora - Memorial Fight Qualifying
Win (Submission - Punches) Jessie Gibbs - Bitetti Combat 7