WEC 43: Wagnney Fabiano vs Mackens Semerzier booked for Oct. 10 with Erik Koch hurt

An injury in training has forced Erik Koch to withdraw from his featherweight battle against Wagnney Fabiano (12-1) at the upcoming WEC 43: "Cerrone vs. Henderson" from the The AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Sat., Oct. 10, according to NWI.com.

Filling in on about two weeks notice will be 28-year-old United States Marine and current Miguel Torres pupil, Mackens Semerzier (3-0).

This will be a huge step up in competition level for Semerzier, whose last two opponents were both making their mixed martial arts debuts. He's won all three of his professional fights by submission or technical knockout on smaller circuit cards in North Carolina and Virginia, but Fabiano will not be as easy to deal with.

Semerzier has good finishing ability ... and he certainly receives high quality training under the former WEC bantamweight champion. The WEC newcomer will need to put it all together fast and be on top of his game to handle a force like Fabiano -- he will have his work cut out for him.

Fabiano is currently enjoying a five-fight winning streak, including two straight under the WEC banner against Akitoshi Tamura (submission) and Fredson Paixao (decision). During his time with the IFL, he notched notable wins over John Gunderson and L.C. Davis (both by submission), as well as scored a highlight reel knockout over Bao Quach earlier in his career.

The lone loss on the Brazilian jiu-jitsu artist’s record came by split decision at the hands of Jeff Curran back in October 2006. Since then, six of his eight victims have tasted defeat by way of tapout.

WEC 43 will feature an interim lightweight title fight between Greg Jackson pupil Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone and the versatile Ben "Smooth" Henderson in the main event of the evening. The co-headliner for the card will mark the return to the WEC cage for former lightweight number one contender, Rich "Cleat" Crunkilton, as he takes on undefeated Midwest product, Dave Jansen.

The main card will air live on the Versus network beginning at 9 p.m. ET on fight night. For more on WEC 43 click here.