Jared Papazian Replaces Joe Murphy, Meets John Robles on WSOF 4 Undercard

Papazian has agreed to face John Robles in a bantamweight contest on the undercard of WSOF 4 “Spong vs. DeAnda,” which takes place Aug. 10 at Citizens Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif. Robles’ original opponent, Joe Murphy, was forced to withdraw from the bout after suffering a rib injury in training, according to a Monday statement from the promotion. The event's undercard streams live and free on Sherdog.com.

A student of Gokor Chivichyan, 25-year-old Papazian was considered a serious prospect before consecutive losses to Mike Easton, Dustin Pague and Tim Elliott saw him bounced from the UFC at the end of 2012. The former King of the Cage titleholder has gone 1-1 in a pair of bouts since his Octagon exit, most recently submitting to Brandon Bender in a May 11 bout.

Robles, 30, has compiled a 7-1 record in his three and a half years on the California local circuit. He comes off a pair of bouts under the MEZ Sports banner in which he knocked out previously unbeaten Steven Barajas and earned a split nod against Juan Rivas.

According to WSOF’s release, Papazian and Robles both “consider the other a friend, and the two have remained in contact through text and social media since the fight was booked.”