Charles Oliveira replaces Wiman, Co-Headlines against Escudero

Poor, poor Efrain Escudero.

The season 8 winner of “The Ultimate Fighter” has faced some hurdles since his inception into the UFC, not so long ago. After suffering his first career loss to contender Evan Dunham last January, via arm bar submission in the third round of their lightweight affair, “Hecho en Mexico” bounced back against Dan Lauzon last May on the preliminary card.

And while Efrain aspires still to be a contender in his weight class, they just couldn’t make it easy on the proud Mexican-fighter.

After garnering preliminary honors for the second time, Efrain was to face John Gunderson, however was pulled to compete as the new co-main event, opposite of Matt Wiman, after Wiman’s original opponent and fellow TUF veteran Mac Danzig had pulled out due to injury.

Well now the news has made it around the bend, and it looks like Wiman has suffered a broken arm, and in steps in arguably the best Jiu-Jitsu practitioner in the 155-pound division, Charles Oliveira. The dynamic Brazilian, who has already been likened to the “Jon Jones of the lightweight division”, made his UFC debut against Darren Elkins, needing less than a minute to submit the gritty-lightweight with a first round submission, arm bar (ironically enough).

MMAWeekly reported the news Thursday, after learning of Wiman’s injury.

Will the shift change anything for Escudero come Sept. 15, for UFC Fight Night 22? Who does the match up favor more? Logic would say, Escudero is a natural wrestler, but taking it the ground this time might not be the greatest idea. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.