Thomas Gantt vs Artur Minev set for UFC Vegas 117 this weekend at lightweight

Thomas Gantt (11-0) will face Artur Minev (7-0) at UFC Vegas 117 this weekend in a lightweight bout, with both fighters making their UFC debuts. Minev replaces the injured Trey Ogden. Gantt is a wrestler who competed for the University of North Carolina, transitioned to MMA in 2023, and fought 14 times between February 2024 and February 2025, including 11 professional bouts with 10 finishes. He won a fight on Dana White's Contender Series in September. Minev represents Ukraine, trains in the United States, and has six finishes in seven fights (four knockouts and two submissions), primarily competing in Cage Fury since turning professional in 2023.