Strikeforce Vet Jason High Steps In to Face Erick Silva at UFC on Fuel TV 10

The UFC on Fuel TV 10 fight card slated for June 8 in Fortaleza, Brazil, has undergone a bout change.

UFC welterweight John Hathaway has been removed from his bout with Erick Silva for undisclosed reasons, according to UFC officials. He has been replaced by Dream and Strikeforce veteran Jason High.

High, who lost his UFC debut to Charlie Brenneman in 2010, has since gone on to rattle off seven wins in a row, including three under the Strikeforce banner.

Originally slated to meet Yuri Alcantara on the UFC on Fuel TV 10 card, High now finds himself upgraded to a main card showcase against a hometown favorite in Silva.

Conversely, Silva is coming off a devastating loss to perennial Top 10 welterweight Jon Fitch in a Fight of the Night performance at UFC 153 in October 2012.

With Silva originally planning to face Hathaway, the 28-year-old Team Nogueira product had his sights set on a rather predictable stand-up artist.  With High, however, Silva now finds himself smack dab in middle of the cage with a Midwest wrestler known for his propensity for grinding foes down.

With more than ample time to prepare until their June 8 bout, there should be plenty of opportunity for both fighters to adjust.

The UFC on Fuel TV 10 fight card features a main event between TUF: Brazil 2 coaches Fabricio Werdum and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and marks the finale of the second season of the wildly popular reality show in South America’s largest country.