Thomas Gantt to face Artur Minev in UFC Vegas 117 debut bout replacement

Thomas Gantt (11-0) will make his UFC debut against Artur Minev (7-0) at UFC Vegas 117 this weekend in a lightweight bout. Minev replaces Trey Ogden, who withdrew due to injury. Gantt is a wrestler who competed for the University of North Carolina and transitioned to MMA in 2023, compiling an extraordinary record of 14 fights between February 2024 and February 2025 (3 amateur, 11 professional), winning his DWCS bout in September with 10 of 11 victories coming by finish. Minev represents Ukraine but trains in the United States, holding 6 finishes in 7 fights (4 KOs, 2 submissions), primarily competing in Cage Fury before launching his professional career in 2023.