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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Injury has struck one of the key fights from this month's UFC 170 event, as Francisco Rivera is out of a major bantamweight fight with Raphael Assuncao.
Assuncao passed along news of his foe's injury on Twitter Monday, asking fans to chime in on who they'd like to see him face instead.
Hi guys, so..My supposed opponent Francisco Rivera broke his hand and is outta the fight #UFC170 .
Who would ya'll like me fight against ??
The hand injury delays Rivera's return, and halts his attempt at ascension towards a title fight. He had been unbeaten in six straight fights. It would have been a six fight winning streak were it not for a no contest due to a failed drug test.
Assuncao is hoping to earn his own shot at the UFC Bantamweight Title, having won five straight fights himself. He most recently edged out T.J. Dillashaw in October with a split decision in Brazil.
The UFC hasn't yet announced a replacement to keep Assuncao on the UFC 170 card. That event is headlined by a Women's Bantamweight Championship fight between Ronda Rousey and Sara McMann.
Penick's Analysis: This is a bummer. This would have been a really good bantamweight matchup, and the winner very well could have been the next title challenger. Assuncao could still earn the next shot at Renan Barao regardless of who he now fights, but it will be hard to get a top competitor on short notice for this event.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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