UFC Fight Night Seattle Card Undergoes Major Shakeup

The upcoming UFC Fight Night 252, set to take place on February 22 at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, has been hit with a wave of changes that have dramatically altered the event’s landscape. In the face of numerous cancellations, the UFC has moved swiftly to bolster the card, adding two intriguing matchups that promise to inject fresh excitement into the night’s proceedings.

New Blood Enters the Octagon

In a surprising turn of events, the UFC has announced the addition of two bouts featuring promotional newcomers, breathing new life into a card that had been reeling from recent setbacks. The first of these matchups will see veteran light heavyweight Alonzo Menifield (15-5-1 MMA, 8-5-1 UFC) welcome Julius Walker (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) to the big leagues. Menifield, who was originally slated to face Oumary Sy at UFC Fight Night 255 in London, now finds himself with a new opponent and a new date following Sy’s injury-induced withdrawal.

Undefeated prospect Julius Walker (6-0) will take on Alonzo Menifield (15-5-1) at #UFCSeattle, per multiple sources. Story headed to @MMAjunkie. pic.twitter.com/zVmlgdNn5h

— Nolan King (@mma_kings) February 13, 2025

Walker enters the UFC with an unblemished professional record and a reputation for finishing fights. As the reigning Synergy FC and Peak Fighting light heavyweight champion, he brings a wealth of regional experience to his promotional debut. This matchup presents an intriguing clash of styles, with Menifield’s UFC-tested skills pitted against Walker’s raw potential and championship pedigree.

The second addition to the card sees Nursulton Ruziboev (34-9-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) make his return to the middleweight division against another UFC debutant, Eric McConico (9-2-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC. Ruziboev, coming off his first UFC loss to Joaquin Buckley in March 2024, will be looking to bounce back and reassert himself in the 185-pound division. McConico, a product of the renowned MMA Lab, enters the UFC riding a five-fight winning streak and was originally set to headline Tuff-N-Uff 141.

Nursulton Ruziboev will fight Eric McConico Jr. at #UFCSeattle on February 22nd. (first rep. @AlexBehunin) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 pic.twitter.com/tkArNLUFSS

— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) February 13, 2025

A Card in Flux

The addition of these two bouts comes as a welcome relief for UFC officials and fans alike, as a series of cancellations and reshuffling have plagued the Seattle event. The promotion’s quick action in securing these fights demonstrates their commitment to delivering a compelling night of action for the Seattle crowd, despite the challenges faced in the lead-up to the event.

With these new additions, the UFC Fight Night 252 card now features a mix of established UFC veterans and hungry newcomers eager to make their mark. The main event remains intact, with former two-division champion Henry Cejudo set to face the surging Song Yadong in what promises to be a pivotal bantamweight clash.

Other notable bouts on the card include a middleweight showdown between Brendan Allen and Anthony Hernandez, as well as an intriguing featherweight contest pitting Andre Fili against Melquizael Costa. However, the card still shows signs of instability, with two bouts featuring TBA  opponents, indicating that the UFC’s matchmakers may not be done tinkering with the lineup.

As fight night approaches, all eyes will be on Seattle to see how this reshuffled card performs. With a mix of established names and hungry newcomers, UFC Fight Night 252 has the potential to deliver unexpected thrills and career-defining moments. For fighters like Menifield and Ruziboev, it’s an opportunity to right the ship and get back into the win column. For newcomers Walker and McConico, it’s a chance to announce their arrival on the biggest stage in MMA with a statement victory.

With just over a week to go until the event, fight fans can expect the unexpected as the UFC continues to fine-tune what promises to be an electrifying night of fights in the Emerald City.