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 FoxSports.com first reported the news that Thatch would replace Hathaway on Wednesday evening. Pendred's addition was originally announced by Sean Sheehan on the Irish MMA site Severe MMA.

"

The welterweight reshuffle for #UFC189...... I'm in!!! pic.twitter.com/V9rkwaRm94

— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) June 24, 2015"

The bout will mean a quick turnaround for Pendred (17-2-1), who won a narrow decision over Augusto Montano at UFC 188 on June 13. Howard (22-11) is a longtime veteran of UFC but is likely fighting for his right to continue on in the promotion given that he has suffered three consecutive losses coming into this bout.

Thatch (11-2) has been impressive in his short UFC tenure, though a toe injury kept him out for a year and hampered his momentum. In his return bout in February, Thatch lost to Benson Henderson by fourth-round chokeout in an excellent fight that garnered Fight of the Night honors.

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

His new opponent, Nelson (13-1-1), is coming off his first professional defeat, a split-decision loss last October at the hands of Rick Story.

As most MMA fans know by now, UFC 189, scheduled to take place July 11 in Las Vegas, has been beset by injury troubles this week.

Also on Wednesday, UFC Nederland (h/t MMA Junkie) broke the story that featherweight champion Jose Aldo fractured a rib during training and is now questionable for his much-hyped main event blockbuster with Conor McGregor. It is unknown when or whether Aldo or UFC officials will update his status for UFC 189—or what the UFC might do if Aldo is unable to fight as scheduled.