UFC officials announced yesterday that former Strikeforce welterweight title contender Tyron Woodley (10-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will make his octagon debut at UFC 156, when he faces Jay Hieron (23-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC).

Woodley got the call and agreed to step in to replace an injured Erick Silva (14-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) on the Febraury card. A timetable for Silva’s return has yet to be established.

Woodley makes his octagon debut on the heels of his first career loss which he suffered to Nate Marquardt in a July 2012 bid for Strikeforce’s then-vacant 170-pound title. The loss snapped a 10-fight win streak for the American Top Team product, who finished with an 8-1 record under the Strikeforce banner.

“T-Wood” now meets Jay Hieron, who is still looking for his first career UFC win. After suffering two losses inside the octagon early in his career, Hieron was let go by the UFC, which resulted in Jay fighting for numerous smaller promotions. After putting together an impressive run outside the UFC, Jay got the call to step back in to the octagon at October’s UFC on FX 5 event, where he ended up losing a close decision to Jake Ellenberger.

UFC 156 is set to take place February 2nd at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event is headlined by a featherweight title fight between champion Jose Aldo and former lightweight champ Frankie Edgar.

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