Bleacher Report · Jun 24, 2015
UFC 189 Card Change: Brandon Thatch vs. Nelson, Cathal Pendred vs. Howard Added
An injury to welterweight John Hathaway earlier this week set the dominoes tumbling for UFC 189. UFC officials, however, were able to shore up the fight with some quick thinking and willing replacements.
Muay thai striker Brandon Thatch moves up to the main card to replace Hathaway against grappler Gunnar Nelson. Thatch's original opponent, John Howard, will now face Irish grinder Cathal Pendred, a new addition to the card.
Damon Marin of Fox Sports first reported the news that Thatch would replace Hathaway Wednesday evening. Pendred's addition was originally announced by Sean Sheehan on the Irish MMA site Severe MMA.