Paul Taylor has dealt with a rash of injuries in his six-year Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) career that have knocked him out of several planned fights.
The injury bug bites yet again when it comes to his planned scrap opposite Anthony Njokuani at UFC Fight Night 30, scheduled to go down at the Phones 4u Arena in Manchester, England, on October 26, 2013.
UFC brings word that able-bodied lightweight Al Iaquinta is stepping in to fill the void.
Njokuani (16-7) has won two of his past three fights, including a knockout of Roger Bowling at UFC on FOX 7 in April. But he's alternated between decision victories and decision losses with his opponents the past three years, not distancing himself from the pack that champion Anthony Pettis resides over.
He looks to rectify this by defeating Iaquinta (6-2), who is hoping to build on the strength of his first UFC win, a dominating decision victory over Ryan Couture at UFC 164. Prior to that result, The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 15 finalist's lone UFC appearance was a loss to reality show nemesis Michael Chiesa.
Fighting for the second time in less than a month, the Serra-Longo Fight Team member looks to ride the wave of momentum towards a potential rematch with Chiesa.
As for Taylor, the "Relentless" injuries have forced him to call it a career, according to Fighters Only:
"All his old injuries flared up in training. He's very disappointed not to be fighting on the Manchester card but there's nothing he can do, these injuries just won't go away."
Taylor (11-6) retires with a 4-5 record inside the Octagon. On the bright side, he at least goes out with a win, having pasted Gabe Ruediger at UFC 126 back in early 2011.
UFC Fight Night 30 will be the second international event for the organization in the United Kingdom, featuring 11 other bouts that include Melvin Guillard vs. Ross Pearson and Ryan Jimmo vs. Jimi Manuwa, as well as the middleweight main event between Michael Bisping vs. Mark Munoz.
For more on the UFC Fight Night 30 event on FOX Sports 2 click here.
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