Yoshihiro Akiyama out at UFC 128; Dan Miller now faces Nate Marquardt
With portions of his home country in ruin from this week's tragic earthquake, Yoshihiro Akiyama has withdrawn from next week's UFC 128 event.
In his place steps New Jersey native Dan Miller (14-4 MMA, 5-3 UFC), who had been expected to fight on the evening's preliminary card but will now fight Nate Marquardt (30-10-2 MMA, 9-4 UFC).
UFC executives announced the change late Friday night.
"New Jersey native Dan Miller proves once again that he will fight anyone, anywhere, any time by agreeing to step up from the prelims to face Nate Marquardt," UFC president Dana White stated in an official release. "Marquardt has long been a top-10 ranked middleweight, and Miller jumped at the opportunity to face him."
UFC 128 takes place March 19 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and features a light heavyweight title match between champ Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and challenger Jon Jones.
White and UFC exec Marshall Zelaznik each took to Twitter to ensure fans Akiyama and his family were not injured in the tragedy, but it's unknown when he'll return to action.
Marquardt fights for the first time since a November loss to Yushin Okami that cost him a guaranteed shot at the title. Prior to the decision defeat, Marquardt went 5-2 in his seven fights since an unsuccessful bid to take champ Anderson Silva's title in 2007. He also lost a No. 1 contender's bout three fights ago to Chael Sonnen at UFC 109.
Miller is building steam after three consecutive losses put his octagon career in jeopardy. The older brother of UFC lightweight Jim Miller most recently dispatched Joe Doerksen by split decision at UFC 124, which followed a submission victory over Salter at UFC 118.
UFC brass did not announce if they will seek a replacement opponent for Catone.
