UFC 329 gets late replacement opponent change

Farid Basharat will face John Garza in a bantamweight bout on the UFC 329 prelims in Las Vegas on Saturday, after an opponent change forced the UFC to find a late replacement.

Basharat (15-0) was initially scheduled to fight rising prospect Ethyn Ewing, but Ewing withdrew from the matchup last week following a training injury. The promotion quickly secured Garza (6-1), who will be making his UFC debut. Currently ranked No. 15 in the UFC's bantamweight media rankings, the 23-year-old Basharat has strung together six consecutive victories since joining the promotion via the Contender Series in 2022. He most recently earned a split decision over fellow prospect Jean Matsumoto at UFC Vegas 113 in February.

Garza, also 23, has only been fighting professionally for two years but brings an extensive amateur background. After dropping his second pro bout, he has since gone undefeated with five consecutive wins, primarily competing in Fury FC. His most recent victory came in January via second-round knockout of Josh Walker.

UFC 329 is headlined by a welterweight rematch between Conor McGregor and Max Holloway.