Injuries Sideline Rivera, Martins; Munhoz-Assuncao, Gibson-Sterling Added to UFC 170

Unbeaten Pedro Munhoz is taking a step up. | Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com

With both bantamweights forced to withdraw from their bouts, the Ultimate Fighting Championship will welcome a pair of newcomers to the Octagon at the Feb. 22 event, as Pedro Munhoz faces Raphael Assuncao and Cody Gibson meets Aljamain Sterling.

UFC 170 is headlined by a women’s bantamweight title confrontation between Ronda Rousey and Sara McMann and takes place at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The evening’s main card airs live on pay-per-view and will also feature a pivotal light heavyweight showdown pitting Daniel Cormier against ex-champion Rashad Evans.

Munhoz has been perfect through 10 pro outings, joining the Resurrection Fighting Alliance in 2012 and capturing the RFA bantamweight belt this past August. The 27-year-old successfully defended his belt on Jan. 24, submitting Billy Daniels with a guillotine choke in just 41 seconds at RFA 12.

Gibson rides a six-fight winning streak into his clash with Sterling, who will also make his Octagon debut at UFC 170. A former two-time Tachi Palace Fights title contender, “The Renegade” last competed on Nov. 14, when he took a unanimous decision from Evan Esguerra at TPF 17.