Update: Sherk Out of UFC 108; Ludwig In

Sean Sherk has withdrawn from a lightweight bout against Jim Miller at UFC 108 on Jan. 2 in Las Vegas, Sherdog.com has confirmed with the fighter’s manager, Monte Cox.

Cox said the 36-year-old Minnesotan sustained a cut over his right eye that required multiple stitches. The former UFC lightweight champion had been promoted from a preliminary bout to face Miller on the main card only a week ago.

Sherk was also forced to pull out of a bout against Gleison Tibau at UFC 104 last October when he suffered a “Grade II AC separation” in his right shoulder while rolling with a training partner.

MMAWeekly.com has reported that Duane Ludwig will now face Miller.

With a mix of strong wrestling and striking, the 26-year-old Miller earned a second-round technical knockout against Steve Lopez at UFC 103 last September in Dallas. Ludwig earned a first-round submission from strikes at against Ryan Roberts at Ring of Fire 36 on Dec. 4 in Denver. Ludwig is 2-0 in the Octagon, with his last UFC appearance an 11-second technical knockout against Jonathan Goulet at Ultimate Fight Night 3 in January 2006.

This article was updated at 3:47 a.m. EST with Ludwig as the replacement.