Jacobe Smith will replace the injured Carlos Leal against Randy Brown at UFC Fight Night 292 on October 31 in Las Vegas. The change follows Leal’s withdrawal and gives Smith an opportunity to make a significant impression against the established welterweight Brown. The event’s co-main event is therefore altered, while Renato Moicano vs. Tom Nolan remains the headline bout. A second reported change has Azamat Bekoev withdrawing from his middleweight fight with Andre Petroski for medical reasons, with Mantas Kondratavicius reportedly stepping in. Both changes remain subject to final official confirmation from the promotion.
Jacobe Smith is reportedly set to replace the injured Carlos Leal against Randy Brown at UFC Fight Night 292 on October 31 in Las Vegas, according to MMA News. The report is not officially confirmed by the promotion.
The change would alter the card's co-main event, while Renato Moicano vs. Tom Nolan is reported to remain the headline bout. A second reported change has Azamat Bekoev out of his middleweight fight with Andre Petroski for medical reasons, with Mantas Kondratavicius reportedly stepping in. Both moves remain subject to final confirmation.
The fighter who dropped out
Leal, a 32-year-old Brazilian who trains out of Thai Brasil, carries a 23-7 record. He is a volume striker, landing 8.75 significant strikes per minute at 47 percent accuracy, and rarely shoots for takedowns at 0.43 per 15 minutes. His most recent recorded fight was a unanimous decision win over Chidi Njokuani on February 21, 2026. That result followed a first-round knockout loss to Muslim Salikhov in July 2025 and a first-round TKO win over Alex Morono in March 2025.
The fighter leaving the middleweight bout
Bekoev, 30, of Russia and American Top Team, is 20-5. He is a wrestling-heavy fighter, averaging 3.48 takedowns per 15 minutes, and lands 4.57 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. His most recent recorded fight was a third-round submission loss to Tresean Gore on April 4, 2026. That was his second straight defeat, after a third-round TKO loss to Yousri Belgaroui in October 2025.
His reported opponent
Petroski, a 35-year-old American from Renzo Gracie Philly, is 13-6 and has lost his last three recorded fights, most recently a second-round TKO against Cody Brundage on May 16, 2026. He is five years older than Bekoev, and the two have similar grappling profiles: Petroski averages 3.13 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.2 submission attempts, compared with Bekoev's 3.48 takedowns.
Why it matters
- Smith would step in on short notice against an established welterweight, a high-leverage spot for a fighter looking to make an impression.
- The co-main event slot changes, but the Moicano vs. Nolan headliner is reported to be unaffected.
- Petroski has dropped three straight, so any change of opponent matters to a fighter in need of a result.
Neither replacement bout has been confirmed by the UFC.
