As if to further prove that MMA is a harsh mistress, UFC featherweight Sean Soriano has had to pull out of his bout with Estevan Payan at UFC on FOX 11 less than a week after it was announced due to injury. Luckily, former WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Thomas Brown was more than happy to step up to the plate.
Sean Soriano out, Mike Thomas Brown in against Estevan Payan at UFC on FOX 11
The UFC confirmed the change in match-up earlier today.
Mike Thomas Brown (26-9) was first man to defeat Urijah Faber in a title fight, way back in the 2008 heyday of the WEC. A grappling specialist who trains with American Top Team, the 38 year-old Brown is looking to get back on track after suffering a 50 second KO loss to Stephen Siler at UFC Fight Night 26. Prior to that, Brown had been on a two fight winning streak. Will the former WEC Featherweight champion be able to right his ship with a win against “El Terrible”?
Estevan “El Terrible” Payan (14-5, 1 N/C) also came to the UFC as part of a merger, this time when the Zuffa juggernaut absorbed Strikeforce. The scrappy Arizona Combat Sports team member has gone 0-2 in the UFC, and was last seen taking a break from consciousness at the hands of Robbie Peralta at UFC 168. The Latino fighter has not seen a victory since his time in Strikeforce. Will he be able to score his first UFC win at the expense of Brown?
UFC on Fox 11 goes down on April 11th, at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL. The main event is a heavyweight title eliminator pitting surging Jackson’s MMA fighter Travis Brown against long-time contender Fabricio Werdum. Stay tuned to MMASucka for more on this and other events.
