Matt Riddle steps up for injured Scanlon in order to face Matt Brown in March at UFC on Versus 3

“The Ultimate Fighter” season seven veteran Matt Riddle has stepped up to the plate in order to face arguably one of toughest challenges to date in his young mixed martial arts career.

Since an injury has plagued Mark Scanlon from his participation on “UFC on Versus 3″, Riddle now will step up to the plate in order take on former castmate Matt Brown in a welterweight affair.

The two fighters were on opposing teams as they spent their time on “TUF”, and while both did not make it to the finals of the middleweight bracket on the show, they still managed to find their ways into the UFC and have found success inside the octagon. However, in this bout, it’s especially important since both men are coming off losses and an additional defeat could signal either man to receive their walking papers.

MMAWeekly.com has been able to confirm the match up with sources to match-up. Riddle is coming off of a decision defeat to the hands of UFC newcomer Sean Pierson. Though valiant and relentless during the fifteen-minute affair despite being dropped midway through the fight, Riddle lost some traction he was beginning to gain inside the octagon as he saw a two-fight win streak snapped at UFC 124 last December. Matt made his mixed martial arts debut inside the octagon, and has gone an impressive 5-2 run against tough competition.

While Riddle may be in hot water should be get back-to-back losses, it’s Brown who really has to watch out that he doesn’t get the infamous UFC slip as he is now riding a wave off three-losses in the cage. In his last outing, Brown was defeated by H.I.T Squad protege Brian Foster at UFC 123 last Novemeber, succumbing to a guillotine choke in the second round. All three of his losses recently have come by way of submission.

“UFC on Versus 3″ is set for March 3 at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky with a special 170-pound headliner pitting former title challenger Diego Sanchez as he takes on former top contender Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann.

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of the new welterweight affair? Will Riddle be able to use his wrestling savvy skills in order to work a decision win over Brown, or will “The Immortal” be too game for his former “TUF” buddy to handle? Sound off in the comment section below.