Danzig Out With Injury, Escudero Steps In To Face Wiman At Ultimate Fight Night

The game of musical chairs keeps going as MMA Weekly has reported that Matt Wiman has been pulled from the upcoming Sept. 15 UFC Fight Night 22 in Austin, TX due to a broken arm. Wiman was originally preparing for his rematch with Mac Danzig, who was also recently sidelined due to a pectoral injury. Efrain Escudero was pulled from his fight on the same card with John ‘Quick Guns’ Gunderson to take on Wiman, but with Wimam going down will now take on the deservedly hyped UFC newcomer Charles Oliveira.

One of the most exciting young prospects in the UFC’s lightweight division, Oliveira recently made his UFC debut with a 41 second triangle to armbar submission over Darren Elkins at ‘UFC on Versus 2’ earlier this month. Undefeated at 13-0, the Brazilian got his 12th stoppage victory of his young career and took home ‘Submission of the Night’ honors for his troubles. Although some visa issues were looking to be a hindrance in making this fight happen, everything seems to be good to go.

An unfortunate pectoral injury has sidelined Mac Danzig from his upcoming bout with Matt Wiman. The two were set to tangle at the upcoming UFN in Austin, TX for a rematch of their controversial first meeting at UFC 115 back in June. Wiman appeared to have sunk in a tight guillotine choke on Danzig, so referee Yves Lavigne stepped in thinking the he was unconscious. In fact, Danzig was never in any danger, and never tapped. The UFC decided to let them settle it again, but it appears as though that won’t be happening any time soon.

Escudero was already slated to appear in the card, and will slide into the now vacant co-main event slot to face Wiman. The night’s main event will be Nate Marquardt against Rousimar Palhares. Escudero has gone 3-1 since winning the eighth season of SPIKE’s ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ but he’ll have all he can handle against Wiman. Wimam, himself a TUF vet, will look to make it 3-0 against cast mates from the reality TV show. Wiman has the edge in the stand up, and on the ground, but look for Escudero to utilize his wrestling to make this a pretty even match up. Look for him to want to keep it standing, as he’ll want to avoid Wiman’s versatile ground game. If Escudero can come out looking like he did in round one of his fight with Evan Dunham, and not rounds two and three, I think he has a chance in this fight.