James Irvin vs. Alessio Sakara promoted to 'UFC on Versus 1' main card

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A previously announced middleweight match up between sluggers James Irvin and Alessio Sakara has reportedly been moved from the un-aired preliminary portion of UFC on Versus 1 to take the vacated fourth and final spot on the televised main card portion of the card.

The fourth spot on the main card was vacated after UFC welterweight Anthony Johnson was forced out of his bout against John Howard due to a knee injury. UFC newcomer Daniel Roberts replaced Johnson against Howard, however, the bout was demoted to the preliminary portion of the card.

Irvin (14-5) hasn't fought since losing to UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva in a featured light-heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night 14 in July 2008. Following the loss, he tested positive for banned painkillers--Methadone and Oxymorphone-- and was suspended nine months for the transgression.

Irvin was set to return from his suspension and make his middleweight debut against Drew McFedries at UFC 98 last May, however, he withdrew from the event because of a torn meniscus. He tried again to make his middleweight debut against Wilson Gouviea at UFC 102 in August, but was forced off of that event after re-aggravating his knee injury.

Prior to the loss against Silva, Irvin had won two straight fights against Luiz Cane and Houston Alexander. He has put together an even 4-4 record in eight fights with the UFC, scoring other notable Octagon wins over Terry Martin and Hector Ramirez.

Sakara (14-7) is currently on a two-fight winning streak, most recently notching a split-decision win over Thales Leites at UFC 101 in August. He hasn't fought since the win over Leites, as he was originally set to face Rousimar Palhares at TUF 10 finale in December, but was reportedly forced off the event with an undisclosed injury.

Sakara sports a 5-4 (1 NC) UFC record, with other Octagon wins coming over Victor Valimaki, Elvis Sinosic and James Lee.

The UFC on Versus 1 event takes place on March 21 at the Odeum Colorado in Broomfield, Colorado, and will serve as the promotion's first televised live card on the Versus cable channel. 

The event 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.