UFC newcomer Daniel Roberts steps up to face John Howard at UFC on Versus 1

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A welterweight bout between UFC newcomer Daniel Roberts and John "Doomsday" Howard is now in the works for UFC on Versus 1 after Howard's original opponent Anthony Johnson was forced to withdraw from the event due to a knee injury.

The Boston Herald was the first media outlet to confirm the change in opponents yesterday.

The UFC has yet to confirm the new bout and there has also been no word if the Howard vs. Roberts bout will remain on the televised main card as the previous fight was scheduled.

Roberts most recently defeated Anthony Macias at a 5150 Combat League/XFL co-promoted event last month. He has competed for other notable organizations such as Bricktown Brawl, Extreme Fighting League and Freestyle Cage Fighting.

Roberts has put together an undefeated 9-0 MMA record since turning pro in September 2007, with seven of his wins coming by submission. He holds other notable career wins over the likes of Brandon Gaines, Levi Avera and Mike Jackson.

Howard (13-4) is coming off a dramatic come-from-behind third-round knockout win over veteran Dennis Hallman at TUF 10 finale. The win moved Howard to a perfect 3-0 with the UFC, with wins in his first two UFC bouts against Chris Wilson and Tamdan McCrory.

Prior to joining the UFC, Howard fought mostly on the east coast for notable promotions such as; the IFL, Combat Zone, World Fighting League, Ring of Combat and Cage Fury Fighting Championships.

The UFC on Versus 1 event takes place on March 21 at the Odeum Colorado in Broomfield, Colorado, and is headlined by a much anticipated light-heavyweight bout between Jon Jones and Brandon Vera. In addition, rising contender Junior dos Santos will take on former UFC heavyweight title contender Gabriel Gonzaga in the night's co-main event.