UFC officials have demoted the middleweight bout between Robert Bryczek and Rodolfo Vieira from the co-main event to the preliminary card for UFC Fight Night 289 in Las Vegas.
The change was made after media day on Wednesday, with two previously preliminary fights elevated to top main-card slots.
Norma Dumont versus Ailin Perez and Sedriques Dumas versus Luis Hernandez will now feature on the main card.
Bryczek had believed his co-main event status reflected UFC management's respect for his fighting style, despite a loss to Cam Rowston in Australia in May.
"Because I lost my last fight in Australia," Bryczek said. "But it was a different place, different energy, very, very far away from my hometown."
The Polish fighter noted that he always accepts fight propositions from UFC matchmakers without delay.
"I think the UFC sees in my style potential, especially before the Brad Tavares fight.
I want to show that again, and I think they respect that always when I have a proposition from UFC, I always say yes.
They're never waiting for my answer. I am a UFC soldier, and they appreciate that," Bryczek said.
To prepare for the fight, Bryczek relocated the final two and a half weeks of his training camp from Poland to Las Vegas, utilizing Xtreme Couture and the UFC Performance Institute for acclimatization.
"The camp was very hard. The last two and a half weeks, we came to Las Vegas for acclimatization," Bryczek said.
"We have a great time here, too, because we used the hospitality of coach Eric (Nicksick) from Xtreme Couture.
We have very, very big thanks for him and the guys – Sean Strickland, Chris Curtis and rest of the guys.
We did a couple nice rounds, and it was a great, great time for me."
Bryczek expressed interest in making Las Vegas a regular destination for future fight preparations after discussing options with his head coach.
"We will see (about training in Las Vegas more often). I'll talk with my coach.
This is a perfect place for camp, or maybe some part of the camp, to came here, to leave Poland a little bit earlier and make acclimatization and some good rounds with guys, also.
I think it's better because most fighters from Europe choose Miami, Florida – gyms like Kill Cliff or American Top Team.
In my opinion, Las Vegas and the UFC PI and Xtreme Couture is a better place," Bryczek said.
Opponent Rodolfo Vieira holds an 11-5 professional record with nine victories coming via submission, though the former five-time jiu-jitsu world champion has not secured a submission win in two and a half years.
"It's not a secret.
He's a great jiu-jitsu guy, five-time world champion in jiu-jitsu, so I have big respect for him and for his skill," Bryczek said.
"But we should remember: This is MMA, and I have my own weapons."
Bryczek confirmed his goal remains targeting a stoppage victory during Saturday's event.
"… I'm always looking for the finish, and it will be the same on Saturday.
I think I have some solutions for Rodolfo Vieira and I'm going for that," Bryczek said.
