Kenny Robertson – image via UFC.com
A change to this June’s upcoming UFC 161: Barao vs. Wineland card has Canadian welterweight Sean ‘The Punisher’ Pierson (13-6) taking on Kenny Robertson (12-2) instead of TJ Waldburger (16-7).
Officials with the promotions Canadian office Tweeted (@UFC_CA) the news on Thursday night.
– The Punisher @seanpierson gets a new opponent, will now face Kenny Robertson in a clash of welterweights at #UFC161 in Winnipeg.
No news, at the time of writing, as to why Waldburger was forced out but it’s likely an injury that forced the Texas fighter off the card.
UFC 161: Barao vs. Wineland is expected to take place on June 15, 2013 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada with UFC interim bantamweight champ Renan Barao taking on Eddie Wineland in the main event.
Pierson has won two straight but is only 2-2 in his last four Octagon appearances. The Canadian fighter earned a win in Toronto last September at UFC 152 by earning a decision versus Lance Benoist. Pierson’s other victory was also by decision, defeating replacement fighter Jake Hecht at UFC on FX 3.
Robertson earned a “Submission of the Night” bonus for his last fight, a verbal submission win over Brock Jardine last February at UFC 157. The victory was Robertson’s first win inside the Octagon in three attempts having lost to Aaron Simpson at UFC on FUEL TV 4 and to Mike Pierce by TKO back in February 2011 at UFC 126.