Bobby Green out, Donald Cerrone vs. Jim Miller 2 booked for UFC 276

Per ESPN on Thursday, Bobby Green is no longer able to compete at UFC 276 on July 2. In his stead against Jim Miller (34-16, 1 NC) will be former foe Donald Cerrone (36-16, 2 NC). The two will be competing at welterweight, instead of Miller’s initially planned weight class against Green at 155 pounds, likely due to the short-notice nature of the opponent switch. The two first met at UFC Fight Night 45 in the main event of their 2014 clash, and Cerrone won in a back-and-forth battle by knockout from a head kick.

While Cerrone defeated Miller in the midst of what became an eight-fight win streak culminating in an unsuccessful title shot against Rafael dos Anjos, Cerrone has fallen on hard times the last few years. His one bright spot, a draw with Niko Price due a point deduction for Price, is interspersed between five losses, with four by knockout. “Cowboy” has not had his hand raised in victory since battering Al Iaquinta over five rounds in 2019. Despite this, Cerrone is tied with Miller and Andrei Arlovski for the most victories in organizational history with 23. This match, therefore, will be between the winningest fighters in UFC history, with 46 combined triumphs coming into their rematch.

Although Cerrone has struggled of late, Miller has shined. A one-punch knockout of Erick Gonzalez in October 2021 ended a two-fight decision skid to Vinc Pichel and Joe Solecki, and he followed that performance by drubbing Nikolas Motta in the second round in February. Miller will become the first fighter to amass 40 UFC appearances, while “Cowboy” will be competing in his 38th bout inside the Octagon. The two combine for a substantial 31 post-fight bonuses — although that total is shy of the scuttled Cerrone-Lauzon tilt which would have tallied for 33 had it stayed together.

The blockbuster UFC 276 will kick in the doors of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 2 with a stacked offering bringing two title fights on top. The main event will see Israel Adesanya look to keep an iron grip on his middleweight throne against knockout artist Jared Cannonier. In the co-headlining position, Alexander Volkanovski will look to complete his trilogy with Max Holloway in his favor, with the featherweight strap on the line. The remainder of the main card sees Sean Strickland battle Alex Pereira at middleweight, a possible flyweight title eliminator between Lauren Murphy and Miesha Tate and a bantamweight battle pitting Pedro Munhoz against Sean O'Malley.