Ultimate Fighter Escudero Out Of April 1 Bout

[jakkups]

ULTIMATE FIGHTER ESCUDERO OUT OF APRIL 1 BOUT

Coming off of a successful run as the lightweight champion of season eight of "The Ultimate Fighter," Efrain Escudero will have to wait a little longer for his official UFC debut. He has been forced off the card with a rib injury, sources close to Escudero confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Wednesday.

Escudero was in Columbus last weekend for UFC 96, but since that time the young fighter suffered the injury in training, forcing off of the April 1 UFC Fight Night 18 card.

After a successful run during the eighth season of the reality show, Escudero came into his finale fight against housemate Phillipe Nover as an underdog, but he proved all the naysayers wrong by winning a unanimous decision and the contract to compete in the UFC.

With Escudero sidelined, the hunt will now begin for his replacement to face Jeremy Stephens, who will fight for the second time in just under three months.

Stephens was called upon to replace his friend and training partner Hermes Franca, when Franca was forced out of his bout against Joe Lauzon in February due to injury. Stephens ended up dropping the bout to Lauzon by armbar in the second round.

Now the Iowa based fighter will wait for the UFC to find a replacement on just under three weeks notice from fight time.

[jakkups]

GLEISON TIBAU STEPS IN TO FACE JEREMY STEPHENS

With Efrain Escudero on the bench due to a rib injury sustained in training, American Top Team lightweight Gleison Tibau will step in to fight Jeremy Stephens.

Sources close to negotiations alerted MMAWeekly.com of the change.

The fight is the second in three months for Stephens, who himself stood in for injured teammate Hermes Franca to face Joe Lauzon at UFC Fight Night 17 in February. Stephens lost by submission in the second round.

Tibau fought on the undercard of the February Fight Night, defeating veteran Rich Clementi by Guillotine Choke in the first round. The win snapped back-to-back losses against top lightweights Tyson Griffin and Joe Stevenson at UFC 81 and 86, respectively.

Overall, Tibau carries a professional record of 16-6 over a seven-year career.

[Move BRICKS™]

I know they're testing the kid, but why do they have to put Jeremy Stephens against these pure submission fighters? Two in a row now with Lauzon and Tibau. Personally I want to see the kid bang, 'cause we all know he's got some wicked hands and could really be a fan-favorite if the UFC would just match him up with someone who is willing to throw some leather as well.