Jorge Santiago
An injury to Justin Edwards (8-2) has forced the TUF 13 alum out of a scheduled fight with Icelandic fighter Gunnar Nelson (10-0-1) for next months UFC on FUEL TV 7 event.
Stepping in for Edwards will be returning fighter Jorge ‘The Sandman’ Santiago (25-10) who will now make his welterweight debut inside the Octagon against Nelson.
Officials with the UK department of the UFC announced the change earlier today via Twitter (@UFC_UK).
– Due to injury @FastEddyMMA is out of #UFCLondon2013, @GunniNelson will now face @SantiagoMMA at Wembley Arena on 16th Feb!
UFC on Fuel TV: Barao vs. McDonald (aka UFC on FUEL TV 7) is expected to take place on February 16, 2013 at the Wembley Arena in London, United Kingdom. The event will see bantamweight interim title holder Renan Barao defend his belt for the first time versus challenger Michael McDonald on the Fuel TV televised main card.
Santiago returns to the UFC having won two straight matches with the Titan FC promotion since his second dismissal from the Zuffa owned promotion. Both wins came in 2012, with a first round submission win in June and a knockout win in March. His last appearance inside the Octagon went down in October 2011 at UFC 136, ending in a decision loss to Brian Stann. His other bout took place in May 2011 at UFC 130 with a second round knockout loss to Brian Stann. Santiago’s fought for the UFC three other times, going 1-2, back in 2006.
Nelson looked impressive in his Octagon debut this past September in Nottingham, England in a catchweight bout versus DaMarques Johnson. The Icelandic fighter earned a first round submission win after sinking in a rear-naked choke versus ‘The Darkness’ at the UFC on FUEL TV 5 show. Previous to that, Nelson had earned nine straight finishes, six submissions and three (T)KO wins, with various promotions across Europe.