Joe Soto Steps in for Suspended Fighter at Saturday's UFC in Mexico City | MMAWeekly.com

After Guido Cannetti was removed from this weekend’s UFC event in Mexico City, leaving Marco Beltran without an opponent, Joe Soto has stepped in on short notice. The bout will take place at a catchweight of 140 pounds.

Soto (16-5) is the former Tachi Palace Fights bantamweight champion. He made his UFC debut in August 2014 and lost his first three fights inside the Octagon. The 29-year-old rebounded in his last outing, submitting Chris Beal at UFC Fight Night Ottawa. He hopes to hand Beltran his first UFC loss on Saturday.

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Beltran (8-3) is riding a three-fight winning streak. He last competed in July, submitting Reginaldo Vieira by rear-naked choke in the second round at UFC Fight Night 90. He hopes to keep his UFC unbeaten streak alive when he faces  Soto in Mexico City.

UFC Fight Night Mexico City takes place at Arena Ciudad de México. The event is headlined by a lightweight bout between former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and top contender Tony Ferguson.

Gannetti was notified by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) on Oct. 29 of a potential anti-doping violating stemming from an Oct. 5 out-of-competition test and was provisionally suspended.

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