TJ Dillashaw
Earlier today, officials with the Ultimate Fighting Championship announced a change to it’s upcoming UFC on FOX 7 event after an undisclosed injury to fighter Francisco Rivera (9-2, 1NC).
Stepping in for Rivera will be T.J. Dillashaw (7-1), who is fresh off a win at last weekends UFC 158 event, and will now face Brazilian Hugo ‘Wolverine’ Viana (7-0) in a bantamweight match.
The news comes on the heels of another hit to the card after welterweight Dan Hardy was forced out of his fight with Matt Brown. Another UFC 158 victor stepped in for ‘The Outlaw’ in Canadian Jordan Mein.
The UFC made the change official, Tweeting (@UFC) the new matchup.
– Another UFC 158 winner getting right back to work: Cisco Rivera injured, @TJDillashaw will fight @WolverineHugo Viana at @UFConFOX 7 in SJ
UFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Melendez (aka UFC on Fox 7) is expected to take place on April 20, 2013 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The main card will air on Fox television, while the prelim card is set to air on FX and via streaming video on Facebook.
With a second round knockout win over Issei Tamura last weekend at UFC 158, Dillashaw picked up his third straight victory since losing the TUF 14 Finale. Prior wins include a submission against Vaughan Lee at UFC on FUEL TV 4 and a decision against Walel Watson at UFC on FUEL TV 1.
Viana is undefeated with two victories in the Octagon. The Brazilian fought last December at the TUF 16 Finale, making his bantamweight debut at the Vegas event. ‘Wolverine’ picked up the first round stoppage by finishing Reuben Duran by knockout. Viana debuted in the Octagon before that at UFC 147, winning a 150-lbs catchweight bout versus John Teixeira.