Marcus McGhee’s UFC 332 replacement resets every matchup-based betting read

MMA Fighting reported that Anthony Romero will replace the injured Bernardo Sopaj against Marcus McGhee at UFC 332, with the newcomer accepting the fight on three days’ notice and the bout moving from bantamweight to featherweight.

The timing creates a clean break between what bettors knew and what they can still use. McGhee’s six-fight UFC sample remains relevant. The matchup analysis attached to Sopaj does not.

PropBetEdge’s booking record still lists McGhee-Sopaj as an announced three-round bantamweight preliminary bout in Salt Lake City. That lag illustrates the practical problem with a change this late: fighter databases, matchup tools and derivative markets can continue reflecting the withdrawn opponent after the competitive conditions have changed.

The original grappling question has disappeared

McGhee-Sopaj offered a defined clash. McGhee owns a 90% takedown-defense rate and has conceded little sustained grappling offense across his six archived UFC bouts. Sopaj averages 2.43 takedowns per 15 minutes, has converted 60% of his attempts and accumulated nine control minutes over eight tracked rounds.

That made Sopaj’s ability to force repeated wrestling exchanges the central variable. McGhee had landed only one takedown in 14 rounds, so his preferred route was clear: defend, separate and build striking volume. Sopaj’s path depended more heavily on entries, control and submission threats. He had landed six takedowns and attempted two submissions in a much smaller three-bout UFC sample.

McGhee also held measurable advantages over Sopaj at distance. His 69-inch reach was three inches longer, and his career significant-strike output of 5.44 per minute exceeded Sopaj’s 4.39. Those numbers supported McGhee significant-strike props if his takedown defense kept the fight upright, while Sopaj takedown and submission markets offered the opposing mechanism.