Tarec Saffiedine out of UFC on Fox 8; Lawler to face Bahadurzada
It appears that injuries are ripping UFC events apart at an alarming clip not unlike last summer’s unprecedented series of switch-ups. Final Strikeforce welterweight champion Tarec Saffiedine was set to make his UFC debut on July 27th from Seattle, but has now been pulled from his bout with Robbie Lawler due to injury.
However, unlike this week’s drama of the failed attempt to set up a Shogun-Sonnen bout at UFC 161, Lawler already has a new opponents lined up, and that is Siyar Bahadurzada. The UFC tweeted the announcement this afternoon:
Another injury switch-up: @tarecfighter Saffiedine injured, @siyarthegreat Bahadurzada will now face @ruthless_rl Robbie Lawler @ufconfox 8
— UFC (@ufc) June 4, 2013
The two sluggers will look to provide an explosive bout for the fans in Washington, and early predictions would be nothing less. Lawler comes in off the momentum of an impressive first round TKO over the favored Josh Koscheck at UFC 156 in February. Another impressive win could make him a surprising player in one of MMA’s most talented divisions. On the other side of the cage, Bahadurzada will look to get back into the winning column after a one-sided loss to Dong Hyun Kim.
UFC on Fox 8 from Seattle has taken another hit, as the Miesha Tate–Liz Carmouche bout had to be panned when Tate stepped in replace Cat Zingano on TUF 18 opposite Ronda Rousey. But the card still features an important welterweight matchup between Jake Ellenberger and Rory MacDonald, Matt Mitrione vs. Brendan Schaub, and a flyweight title match of Demetrious Johnson vs. John Moraga. The Seattle event still holds a great amount of potential for the Fox card. Who do you pick to make a big impression at UFC on Fox 8?
