Joe Proctor
An injury has forced TUF 15 alum Joe Proctor (8-2) out of an upcoming UFC 159 bout with fellow cast member Al Iaquinta (5-2-1).
Proctor suffered the injury while training according to MMAjunkie.com who learned of his withdrawal from sources close to the fighter.
According to the website, despite there being just over two weeks before the New Jersey event, Iaquinta is hoping for a new opponent.
UFC 159: Jones vs. Sonnen is scheduled to take place on April 27, 2013 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The event will see UFC light heavyweight champ Jon Jones defend his title versus challenger, and opposing TUF 17 coach, Chael Sonnen.
The bout between Proctor and Iaquinta had been scheduled to appear on the Facebook streamed prelim card.
Proctor had hoped to bounce back from his first loss in the Octagon having lost a decision to Ramsey Nijem last December at UFC on FOX 5. The Massachusetts fighter will have to wait a little longer to get the chance. Proctor debuted at the TUF 15 Finale, knocking out housemate Jeremy Larsen in the first round.
Iaquinta faced Michael Chiesa in the TUF 15 final and lost via technical submission. That bout marked Iaquinta’s only UFC appearance and pus his official record at 0-2 in his last two pro-fights. Iaquinta is certainly looking for a win and this is probably why he is eager to find a new opponent.