Francisco Rivera Faces Roland Delorme at UFC 149


“Card subject to change” has never been as useful as it is now.

Originally scheduled to face DREAM bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes at UFC 149 in Calgary, Roland Delorme finally has a new opponent.

Stepping up to face Delorme is Tachi Palace Fights standout Francisco Rivera, who picked up his first UFC win at the expense of Alex Soto back at UFC on FUEL TV 3. Rivera was originally scheduled to face off against Ken Stone at this weekend’s UFC on FX 4, where he was serving as an injury replacement, before a staph infection forced him out of the bout as well.

Delorme, who fell short on the 14th season of ‘The Ultimate Fighter’, has started to hit his stride in the octagon, defeating Josh Ferguson and Nick Denis in his first two UFC outings.

Photo Credit: Tracy Lee/CombatLifestyle.com

 

UFC Injury Watch 2012: Bibiano Fernandes Becomes The Latest Addition To The Club

Exactly one week after he signed on for his UFC debut, DREAM bantamweight champion Bibiano Fernandes is on the shelf and out of his planned UFC 149 bout with Roland Delorme.

UFC officials announced the injury late Monday, adding Bibiano to an always growing list of top fighters who are being shelved due to injuries.

Delorme is expected to remain on the UFC’s inaugural Calgary card, and the promotion is seeking a replacement at this time.

Poor Joe Silva.

 

Changes Made To UFC 149 Fight Card Lineup

Siyar Bahadurzada has a replacement opponent for July, as Chris Clements will step in to face him at UFC 149.

The event, which features a main event between UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo and Erik Koch, takes place July 21 from Calgary, Ontario, Canada.

Clements will replace Thiago Alves, who was injured and forced off the card last week. On the same day, Thiago Silva was removed from a bout with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, with no word yet on a replacement for Silva.

Also, DREAM 135-pound champion Bibiano Fernandes has signed with the UFC to face Roland Delorme on the card.

The UFC confirmed both new fights on Monday.

 

UFC on FOX 3 Post-Fight Interviews: Nate Diaz, Johny Hendricks, Alan Belcher, Lavar Johnson, More

MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani caught up with Nate Diaz, Johny Hendricks, Alan Belcher, Lavar Johnson, John Dodson, Louis Gaudinot, Dennis Bermudez, John Hathaway and Roland Delorme to talk about their wins at UFC on FOX 3.

 

UFC on FOX 3 Results & Recap

UFC on FOX 3 takes place later tonight at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The event airs live on FOX at 8pm ET/7pm CT. The prelims will precede the FOX broadcast at 4pm ET on Facebook and 5pm ET on FX.

In the main event, lightweights Jim Miller and Nate Diaz clash in a potential title eliminator bout.

In another potential title eliminator, fast-rising welterweight Johny Hendricks takes on Josh Koscheck.

Rousimar Palhares looks to collect another limb as he faces the always tenacious Alan Belcher.

And opening the night, heavy handed heavyweights Lavar Johnson and Pat Barry look to send each other astral traveling.

Results and recap after the jump.

 

UFC on FOX 3 Preview – The Preliminary Card

Been away on a sort of vacation for the last week, but I had enough time to throw together my picks for tonight’s UFC on FOX 3 card. The preliminary card goes down at 4pm ET on Facebook, and 5pm ET on FX.

-Karlos Vemola vs. Mike Massenzio

Opening the night’s precedings is this awkward middleweight bout between two good, but perhaps not quite UFC calibre fighters. Massenzio has never backed away from a tough fight, and his heart and determination is impressive. I mean, who steps in as a late replacement against Palhares in Brazil? His opponent, Karlos Vemola, beat Seth Petruzelli into the mat, but he didn’t fare so well afterwards. Vemola should win this fight, by all means, but the fact that he’s making a big weight cut, and has as much gas in his tank as a hoverround, I have to pick Massenzio.

-Roland Delorme vs. Nick Denis

I love Nick Denis. Not only is he from my hometown, he also has the best nickname ever, and is a bad, bad man. Delorme, aka the Ferguson Family killer, made his way to the UFC after beating Josh Ferguson at the TUF 14 finale. This fight to me ends one way, with violence. Nick Denis will win, and he’ll do it impressively.

-Pablo Garza vs. Dennis Bermudez

Pablo Garza was on the rise before he ran into the wrecking ball known as Dustin Poirier. With innovative striking and really fantastic submission skills, “The Scarecrow” is likely here to stay in the UFC. His opponent, Dennis Bermudez, ran into a wrecking ball of his own, named Diego Brandao. Bermudez looks for his first official win at featherweight. Despite losing three straight, I like Bermudez here. Garza hasn’t impressed me nearly as much as he has others, and the holes in his game are glaringly obvious, and Bermudez is the kind of fighter who will exploit them.

-John Cholish vs. Danny Castillo

Team Alpha Male standout Danny Castillo returns to the octagon after narrowly defeating Anthony Njokuani. Castillo is an incredibly persistant wrestler, and he’s more than capable of being a headache for anyone. John Cholish is a Renzo Gracie trained grappler. A solid finisher, Cholish has a shot at actually making an impact in the division. Having said that, I have a hard time seeing him win this. While his submission skills will likely keep Castillo guessing, “Last Call” has some stiffling wrestling, and will likely win another decision that will draw the ire of the crowd.

-Louis Gaudinot vs. John Lineker

This could very well be the best fight of the night. Despite his piss poor showing against Johnny Bedford, Louis Gaudinot is still a solid flyweight, who returns to his natural weight class for his second UFC fight. His opponent is a violent, violent man. John Lineker always leaves it all in the cage, and is on a 13 fight win streak right now. I really am a big fan of Gaudinot, but he has to bring his A game, and even then, he’s likely getting finished in a brutal fashion.

-Pascal Krauss vs. John Hathaway

I’m not a big fan of this fight, so I won’t spend much time talking about it. John Hathaway is a solid wrestler, but the more I see of him, the less I am impressed. It’s starting to look like his win over Diego Sanchez was a fluke. Krauss is undefeated, and actually looks more improved every time he steps into the cage. While his gas tank in the later parts of the fight might be questionable, I think he flattens Hathaway.

-John Dodson vs. Timothy Elliott

As a bantamweight, John Dodson was a killer, moving back to flyweight, he should be a beast. Tim Elliott is a good fighter, but he’s facing John Dodson. Technique, power, aggression, all of these things are on Dodson’s side. Dodson beats Elliott handily, and don’t be surprised if he’s fighting for the flyweight title in early 2013.

-Michael Johnson vs. Tony Ferguson

The Blackzilians are not doing so great. With all their recent losses, perhaps Michael Johnson is their last hope? He’s a solid wrestler, who looks improved every time he steps into the cage. I didn’t expect him to beat Shane Roller, but he did. I don’t expect him to beat Tony Ferguson though, and he won’t. Tony is just too good.

 

TUF 14 Finale Results, Recap & Bonuses

TUF 14 Finale PosterThe TUF 14 Finale takes place later tonight at the The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event airs on Spike TV at 8pm ET. The prelims will stream live on Facebook at 5:15pm ET.

In the main event, Michael Bisping and Jason “Mayhem” Miller meet in the TUF 14 coaches battle.

Dennis Bermudez and Diego Brandao face off for the TUF 14 featherweight crown.

John Dodson and TJ Dillashaw meet in the TUF bantamweight final.

Yves Edwards takes on TUF 13 winner Tony Ferguson in a lightweight bout.

TUF 14 cast members Louis Gaudinot and Johnny Bedford meet in a bantamweight match-up.

Results, recap and bonuses after the jump.