WSOF 8 adds Justin Gaethje vs. Richard Patishnock, Jorge Patino vs. Luis Palomino

This month’s World Series of Fighting 8 event has yet another main-event change, as well as a new addition to the lineup.

Officials recently announced that would-be headliner Lewis Gonzalez (9-0) is injured and has been replaced by Richard Patishnock (6-1), who now meets Justin Gaethje (10-0) for WSOF’s inaugural lightweight title.

Patishnock initially was slated to fight Luis Palomino (21-9) on the card. However, Palomino will now meet replacement and big-show vet Jorge Patino (35-14-2) on the preliminary card.

WSOF 8 is scheduled for Jan. 18 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. The main card airs on NBC Sports Network following prelims on MMAjunkie.

Patishnock is the third opponent for Gaethje, who was slated to fight Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante before the Gonzalez switch and the latest change to Patishnock, who’s 2-0 in the WSOF with wins over Igor Gracie and Gregor Gracie. Gaethje, meanwhile, is an RITC vet who’s earned WSOF victories over Cavalcante, Brian Cobb and Dan Lauzon, all via knockout.

Palomino, meanwhile, faces a fellow promotional newcomer with big-show experience when he takes on Patino. Palomino has lost two of his past three fights while “Macaco” is 8-1-1 in his past 10 fights.

The latest WSOF 8 card now includes:

MAIN CARD (NBC Sports Network, 9 p.m. ET)

• Justin Gaethje vs. Richard Patishnock – for inaugural lightweight title
• Anthony Johnson vs. Mike Kyle
• Jessica Aguilar vs. Alida Gray
• for inaugural women’s strawweight title
• Cody Bollinger vs. Tyson Nam
• Valdir Araujo vs. Tyler Stinson

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMAjunkie, 7 p.m. ET)

• Luis Palomino vs. Jorge Patino
• Scott Barrett vs. Derrick Mehmen
• Sidemar Honorio vs. Alexis Vila
• Freddy Assuncao vs. Brenson Hansen

For more on WSOF 8, stay tuned to the MMA Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Richard Patishnock)