Lightweights John Gunderson (22-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and Paul Taylor (10-5-1 MMA, 3-4 UFC) have been rebooked to fight at The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale, MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) has learned from sources close to the event.
The two were due to face off at UFC 112 earlier this month, but UFC officials removed Taylor from the card when he fell ill the night prior to the April 10 fight. The promotion's medical personnel said Taylor exhibited symptoms of a "classic migraine headache."
While both fighters have agreed in principle to the new date, the bout's confirmation now depends on the results of a CT scan Taylor undergoes Friday, according to a source close to the U.K. fighter.
The Ultimate Fighter 11 Finale is expected to take place June 19 at The Pearl at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, and features a fight between the reality-show finalists as they battle for a UFC contract. As MMAjunkie.com first reported, a light heavyweight match between Keith Jardine and Matt Hamill is expected to take the headliner spot.
Fighters Only first reported the impending match-up, though didn't mention the needed CT scan. The report also stated that Taylor has signed a new four-fight deal with the UFC, as well.
Taylor, who fights for the first time in the lightweight division, most recently dropped a unanimous decision to John Hathaway at UFC 105 in November. While certainly not one of the division's smallest welterweights, the 6-foot-tall British fighter, who's dropped four of his past six fights, felt he'd have a bigger edge in the 155-pound division.
Gunderson, an IFL and Palace Fighting Championships veteran, made his UFC debut in January after a 5-1 run (with four submission victories) in a variety of promotions. Gunderson, though, suffered a decision loss to Rafaello Oliveira in a UFC 108 preliminary-card bout.
Gunderson is now in a must-win situation if he hopes to remains in the UFC.
gunderson!
Gunderson!
Taylor!
MMA916 - gunderson!
Taylerson!
I really hope Taylor is able to fight this time. Dude has sick striking skills.