Report: Pannie Kianzad Replaces Melissa Gatto At UFC 239
Melissa Gatto has withdrawn from UFC 239 for undisclosed reasons according to MMA Junkie, replacing her against Julia Avila is going to be Pannie Kianzad.
Avila (5-1-0) is going to be making her UFC debut in this bout and does so having won five of six as a professional MMA fighter. Avila had a two fight stint in Invicta FC, defeating Alexa Conners and suffering a defeat to Marciea Allen. Avila is a former HD MMA Women’s Bantamweight Champion, defeating former UFC Women’s Flyweight Champion Nicco Montano by unanimous decision to win the gold in January of 2017.
Kianzad (11-4-0) was a finalist on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 28, but lost to Macy Chiasson in the finals by second round submission. Kianzad has won a single bout since that UFC defeat, picking up a win over Bellator MMA veteran Iony Razafiarison at Superior Challenge 19. Kianzad has picked up eleven victories as a professional MMA fighter and eight of those wins came by way of decision.
UFC 239 takes place on Saturday, July 6 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada with Jon Jones and Thiago Santos headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
