Francisco Rivera – Image via UFC.com
The injury bug has struck yet again forcing yet another fighter out of a scheduled fight inside the Octagon.
This time, UFC bantamweight Edwin Figueroa (9-1) is the one who has been forced out of his upcoming UFC on FX 4 match versus Ken Stone (10-3) later this month.
Stepping in for Figueroa will be Francisco Rivera (8-2), who is fresh off a win last month and now takes this fight on fifteen day’s notice.
News of the change was first reported by Sherdog.com on Wednesday afternoon.
UFC on FX: Maynard vs. Guida (aka UFC on FX 4) is expected to take place on June 22, 2012 at the Revel Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Rivera will look to make it two straight wins with the UFC after a disappointing 0-2 run under the Zuffa umbrella back in 2010. ‘Cisco’ made a successful return to the Octagon last month, earning a decision win versus Alex Soto at the UFC on FUEL TV 3 event in Virginia. It was Rivera’s third straight win since his dismissal having earned two straight first round knockout finishes under the Tachi Palace Fight banner. He made his Octagon debut at the TUF 13 Finale, losing to Reuban Duran by submission.
Stone has not fought since September of last year when he earned his first Octagon victory, choking out Donny Walker at UFN 25 in New Orleans. Stone had been expected to face Mike Easton at UFC on FX 1 but was forced out with an injury. He, like Rivera, debuted with the UFC at the TUF 13 Finale, suffering a first round knockout against Scott Jorgensen. Previous to that, he stepped into the WEC cage for the first time and was KO’d by Eddie Wineland who used a slam to finish the fight at WEC 53.