Reports: Heavyweight Travis Browne in for injured Ben Rothwell at UFC 203

Travis Browne has wanted a chance to avenge his loss to former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum ever since he dropped a unanimous decision in a top contender bout in 2014.

Now he will get that shot as a late replacement for an injured Ben Rothwell, according to multiple reports.

Browne has agreed to step in to rematch Werdum at UFC 203 on Sept. 10 in Cleveland.

Rothwell was forced out of the bout due to a knee injury.

After Werdum defeated Browne in their first meeting, he went on to beat Mark Hunt for the interim heavyweight title and then took the undisputed belt from Cain Velasquez.

Werdum lost his title to Stipe Miocic in May. Miocic is slated to defend the belt for the first time against Alistair Overeem in the main event of UFC 203.

Several prominent heavyweights lobbied through social media for the opportunity to fill in for Rothwell against Werdum, most notably Derrick Lewis and Stefan Struve, but it Browne was the one who got the call.

Browne has lost three of his last five fights, including a first-round knockout loss to Velasquez on the main card of UFC 200 on July 9 at T-Mobile Arena.

Erik Koch also was forced out of his UFC 203 bout against Drew Dober and will be replaced by Jason Gonzalez.

Gonzalez appeared on Season 22 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” but has not officially competed in the UFC.

The lightweight bout is likely to be put of the preliminary card, though the bout order has not been announced by the organization.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow @adamhilllvrj on Twitter.