Uriah Hall Loses Another Opponent, Now Fighting Some Dude Called “The Choir Boy” at Fight Night 59


(Who’s got two shaka brahs and a trip to the emergency room scheduled for this weekend? THIS GUY!)

When the UFC made it’s long-awaited return to Boston in August of 2013, it booked TUF 17 runner-up Uriah Hall against Nick Ring in a pivotal middleweight matchup. Ring pulled out almost immediately (there’s probably a joke to be made there) due to injury, and was replaced by fellow TUF 17 alum Josh Samman. Less than a month out from their fight, Samman was forced out of the bout and replaced by John Howard, who went on to defeat Hall via split decision.

And unfortunately, the second time around seems like more of the same for Hall. Minus that whole “losing by split decision” thing. Probably.

Hall was originally scheduled to face Costa Philippou on the main card of this weekend’s Fight Night 59 — that was, until Philippou pulled out of the bout on New Year’s Day with a rib injury. Hall was then paired against the 11-3 Louis “Handgunz” Taylor in what promised to be a fight that would be broadcast on television, but wouldn’t you know it, Taylor has now pulled out of the bout with a back injury. The UFC was not pleased with this development.

But you’re probably wondering: Did the UFC manage to scrounge up some poor sap to face Hall on a week’s notice? And does this poor sap’s nickname make me yearn for the days of Louis “Handgunz” Taylor? Those answers are after the jump!


(Who’s got two shaka brahs and a trip to the emergency room scheduled for this weekend? THIS GUY!)

When the UFC made it’s long-awaited return to Boston in August of 2013, it booked TUF 17 runner-up Uriah Hall against Nick Ring in a pivotal middleweight matchup. Ring pulled out almost immediately (there’s probably a joke to be made there) due to injury, and was replaced by fellow TUF 17 alum Josh Samman. Less than a month out from their fight, Samman was forced out of the bout and replaced by John Howard, who went on to defeat Hall via split decision.

And unfortunately, the second time around seems like more of the same for Hall. Minus that whole “losing by split decision” thing. Probably.

Hall was originally scheduled to face Costa Philippou on the main card of this weekend’s Fight Night 59 — that was, until Philippou pulled out of the bout on New Year’s Day with a rib injury. Hall was then paired against the 11-3 Louis “Handgunz” Taylor in what promised to be a fight that would be broadcast on television, but wouldn’t you know it, Taylor has now pulled out of the bout with a back injury. The UFC was not pleased with this development.

But you’re probably wondering: Did the UFC manage to scrounge up some poor sap to face Hall on a week’s notice? And does this poor sap’s nickname make me yearn for the days of Louis “Handgunz” Taylor?

Well it turns out, the answer to both those questions is yes! The poor sap’s name: Ron Stallings. The poor sap’s nickname: “The Choir Boy”.

Currently 12-6 in professional competition, Stallings holds victories over UFC veteran Mike Massenzio, Bellator vet Herbet Goodman, and *the* Randy Rowe, with most of his losses coming to slightly more known commodities like Adlan Amagov (in his only Strikeforce appearance), Dante Rivera, and Phillipe Nover. Stallings last fought in November, where he dropped a five round decision to Tim Williams.

So yeah, it’s not exactly a “compelling” matchup in any way, shape, or form, but likely the best the UFC could do on such short notice. And at the very least, this tremendous mismatch will hopefully result in a knockout that is equal parts terrific and terrifying. It’s a low bar, but someone’s gotta set it.

–J. Jones