Ross Pearson Makes Quick Turnaround, Meets Jorge Masvidal at UFC 201 in Atlanta

Ross Pearson won’t have to dwell on his loss to Will Brooks at “The Ultimate Fighter 23” finale for long, as he has agreed to face Jorge Masvidal on short notice at UFC 201 on July 30.

Promotion officials announced the new welterweight matchup on Wednesday. Masvidal was originally slated to lock horns with Siyar Bahadurzada, but the Afghan fighter was forced out of the contest due to illness. Pearson normally competes at 155 pounds, but Masvidal also had a lengthy stint at lightweight before recently moving up to welterweight.

UFC 201 takes place at Philips Arena in Atlanta and is headlined by a welterweight title tilt between Robbie Lawler and Tyron Woodley.

Pearson is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Brooks, the former Bellator 155-pound king, on July 8. “The Real Deal” has alternated wins and losses for the past nine bouts. His last two-fight winning streak occurred between late 2012 and early 2013.

Masvidal, meanwhile, has lost three of his last four, including a split verdict to Lorenz Larkin on May 29. “Gamebred” is 1-2 since moving to welterweight, with his lone victory coming against Cezar Ferreira.