Hendricks vs. Brown added to UFC 185

In a surprising turn of events, the UFC has added a welterweight clash between former champion Johny Hendricks and "The Immortal" Matt Brown to UFC 185 on March 14.

Lawler was initially tabbed to finish his trilogy with champion Robbie Lawler the next time he stepped foot inside the Octagon, but it appears the UFC has changed their plans regarding the 170-pound title picture. 

"We didn't want to wait around," Hendricks' manager Ted Ehrhardt told MMAFighting.com's Ariel Helwani. "Lawler didn't want to fight until the summer, but we wanted to keep fighting.

"Title shot or not, no one wants to sit around another six or seven more months."

Brown was set to headline UFC Fight Night 60 on Feb. 14 against Tarec Saffiedine, before Saffiedine was forced to pull out with a groin injury.

"No major reaction," Brown told Helwani of his upcoming fight with Hendricks. "Just happy to have a deserving fight."

A welterweight bout between Stephen Thompson and Brandon Thatch was subsequently elevated to the main event of Fight Night 60 after Brown was moved to UFC 185.