Clay Collard Replaces John Makdessi, Steps In To Face Devonte Smith at UFC 241

Clay Collard will replace John Makdessi and face Devonte Smith in a lightweight bout at UFC 241.

MMAjunkie.com was first to report the new booking. UFC 241 goes down on Aug. 17 and is headlined by a heavyweight title fight between Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic. The main card airs on pay-per-view via ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+. Collard vs. Smith is slated for the ESPN-televised portion of the preliminary card.

Collard fought in the UFC from 2014 to15, where he went 1-3 and was not re-signed. “Cassius” lost to Max Holloway, Gabriel Benitez, and Tiago dos Santos e Silva, while his lone win came over Alex White. Collard has compiled a 3-1 mark on the regional circuit since leaving the Las Vegas-based promotion. “Cassius” expected to headline LFA 75 before he got the short notice call.

Smith is 2-0 inside the UFCe, with both of his previous wins coming by knockout. In his debut he knocked out Julian Erosa in the first round at UFC Denver this past November and then at UFC 243 beat Dong Hyun Ma by TKO in the first round. The 26-year-old was signed to the Las Vegas-based promotion after a standout performance over Joseph Lowry on the Contender Series.