Yoshihiro Akiyama
Bahadurzada was expected to face Thiago Alves on July 21, 2012 at , replacing an injured Yoshihiro Akiyama. However, on June 1, Alves pulled out of the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Chris Clements. Bahadurzada then himself had to withdrawal from the fight due to a hand injury, and was replaced with Matthew Riddle.