January’s UFC Fight Night 34 (or UFC: Singapore) fight card has a new headliner.
As previously reported, Ellenberger (29-7) was set to face Strikeforce vet Tarec Saffiedine (14-3), but an alleged leg injury suffered while working on his striking technique at King’s MMA has forced the 28-year-old to withdraw from proceedings.
Now, MMASucka.com can confirm that Hyun Gyu Lim (12-3-1) is replacing the injured Ellenberger, and the South Korean is set to face Tarec Saffiedine in the main event of UFC Fight Night 34, which takes place January 4 at the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
UFC: Singapore fight card shuffles: Hyun Gyu Lim promoted to main event, Kunimoto meets Luiz Dutra Jr.
Lim, who has earned back-to-back stoppage victories under the UFC banner thus far, was originally pitted against promotional newcomer Kiichi Kunimoto (15-5-2, 1 NC), but due to the former’s promotion to main event status, officials have sought a replacement in “TUF: Brazil” alumni, Luiz Dutra Jr. (11-2-1).
Fight Sport Asia first reported the shuffle.
Dutra’s resume includes notable bouts with Fabricio Camoes, Luis Ramos, Paulo Thiago and Rodrigo Ribeiro. The 31-year-old Rio De Janeiro native enters his promotional UFC debut on the heels of a four fight win streak. After a three-year hiatus, Dutra returned to action in April of 2012, and picked up a first round submission victory.
Kunimoto, meanwhile, is a former Heat Welterweight champ, who was last seen in July with a submission victory over UFC vet Edward Faaloloto. The 32-year-old was just one of several Asian fighters recruited over the past months or so, and he will bring a wealth of experience to his UFC debut.
Evolve MMA’s Leandro Issa (11-3) has been reportedly snapped up by the promotion as well and he’s expected to make his UFC debut on January 4. The Brazilian was set to battle Koetsu Okazaki in the main card of next week’s ONE FC 13: Moment of Truth event, but officials have allegedly permitted him to leave to accomplish his dream of fighting in the UFC.
With that, the latest UFC Fight Night 34 fight card now reads:
- *Tarec Saffiedine vs. Hyun Gyu Lim
- Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Hacran Dias
- *Kiichi Kunimoto vs. Luiz Dutra Jr.
- Kyung Ho Kang vs. Shunichi Shimizu
- Katsunori Kikuno vs. Quinn Mulhern
- Dustin Kimura vs. Jon delos Reyes
- *Leandro Issa vs. TBA
- Max Holloway vs. Will Chope
- Dave Galera vs. Royston Wee
* – Not officially announced
____________________________________________________________________________________
Follow Thinesh on Twitter (@ThineshJohnMMA), and keep up with the latest MMA news from MMASucka via Twitter (@MMASucka) and Facebook
