Nam Phan Replaces Injured Eddie Yagin, Meets Dennis Siver at UFC on Fox 5

Promotion officials today announced the new matchup after reports surfaced Tuesday that Yagin would be unable to compete due to a head injury that landed him in the hospital. According to Yagin’s manager, Jason House, the featherweight has blood around his brain that is causing swelling. However, that swelling is expected to subside without surgery, House told Sherdog.com.

Headlined by a lightweight title bout between champion Benson Henderson and challenger Nate Diaz, UFC on Fox 5 takes place at KeyArena in Seattle. The event airs live on Fox’s flagship network and will also see former light heavyweight ruler Mauricio Rua toe the line against Swedish prospect Alexander Gustafsson in the co-main event.

Phan, 29, has won two of his last three fights after going 0-2 to begin his UFC career. An 11-year pro, Phan introduced himself to UFC audiences in 2010 as a cast member of “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 12, falling to WEC veteran Leonard Garcia in a widely disputed split decision at the show’s live finale. Phan kicked off 2012 by outpointing lanky submission ace Cole Miller this past August, snatching a hard-fought split verdict at UFC on Fox 4.

Siver, 33, has won nine of his last 11 bouts. The Russian-born German competed at 155 pounds for most of his UFC career but more recently made the drop to featherweight following a loss to ex-WEC title challenger Donald Cerrone roughly one year ago. A lighter Siver returned to the Octagon this past April, taking a unanimous decision over highly-regarded featherweight Diego Nunes at UFC on Fuel TV 2.