Longtime vet John Alessio returns to UFC against Mark Bocek at UFC 145

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

UFC 145 has gotten a change to the lineup just weeks from the event, as Matt Wiman has dropped out of a fight with Mark Bocek with a knee injury.

Bocek will now welcome back to the UFC a longtime MMA veteran who hasn't stepped foot in the Octagon in over five years, John Alessio. Bocek revealed the change in opponent on Twitter.

Alessio has been campaigning for a return to the Octagon recently, and after picking up his third straight win - and tenth in his last 11 - last month, he will make his return. Alessio has appeared three times in the UFC in his near-50-fight career, with the last bout coming in October of 2006. He also appeared several times in the WEC from 2006-2008, but he's bounced around the world for fights since then.

Bocek will make his 11th appearance in the UFC in this fight, most recently defeating Nik Lentz by decision in December. He's 2-2 in his last four fights, with losses to Jim Miller and now-UFC Champ Ben Henderson by decision in that stretch.

Source: http://www.mmatorch.com/artman2/publish/UFC_2/article_12937.shtml

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