• UFC Fight Night 37

Johnson replacing Pearson at Fight Night 37

Ross Pearson has pulled of UFC Fight Night 37 with a knee injury © Getty Images

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UFC lightweight Michael Johnson has agreed to replace an injured Ross Pearson in a bout at UFC Fight Night 37 against Melvin Guillard on March 8.

Officials announced the switch on Thursday. The event is set to take place at O2 Arena in London.

Johnson (14-8) is coming off a second-round knockout over Gleison Tibau at UFC 168 last month. He publicly campaigned for a fight against lightweight contender Khabib Nurmagomedov, but now draws Guillard instead.

A former contestant on The Ultimate Fighter, Johnson has compiled a 6-4 record in the Octagon. He is currently on a two-fight win streak.

Guillard (31-12-2) is a former teammate of Johnson's at the Blackzilians camp in Boca Raton, Florida. He left the team prior to a fight against Mac Danzig last July, which he won via knockout.

The bout between Guillard and Pearson was announced in October, immediately after they fought to a no-contest at UFC Fight Night 30. The result came when Guillard landed what was deemed an unintentional knee to a grounded opponent.

Pearson (15-6) revealed it was a knee injury that forced him from the card, via his Twitter account. The 29-year-old went on to say it would require surgery.

It's true I'm sorry to everyone especially @Young__Assassin hurt my knee in training & need surgery! I will be back ASAP bigger & stronger

— Ross Pearson (@RossTheRealDeal) January 23, 2014

Thank u to everyone for the best wishes & support gutted I can't fight trust me I wanted to fight on 1 leg doc pulled me was out of my hands

— Ross Pearson (@RossTheRealDeal) January 23, 2014

Yea I know last night Ross not stupid everyday he looks in the mirror he remembers what happened last fight

— Melvin Guillard (@Young__Assassin) January 23, 2014

He still got to fight mr at some time the boss says so so rest if that's what it really is lol

— Melvin Guillard (@Young__Assassin) January 23, 2014

As for Johnson lets get it. Its more fun when you don't like someone. So ill be the first to put it out there. I say what others are afraid

— Melvin Guillard (@Young__Assassin) January 23, 2014

This article originally appeared on ESPN.com

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