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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Two upcoming bantamweight fights have gotten shaken up, as "Showdown Joe" Ferraro reports that Mike Easton has suffered an injury, taking him out of the UFC on Fuel TV 2 card on May 15.
With Easton injured, the UFC has moved Jeff Hougland into Easton's place opposite Yves Jabouin on that card, taking him out of a bout with Renan Barao two months later at UFC 148. Instead, Barao will now face Ivan Menjivar on that card.
Hougland returns for the first time since his UFC debut last summer, where he defeated Donny Walker by decision to move his winning streak to nine fights. Jabouin hopes to keep his winning streak alive in his third fight in the bantamweight division, having won consecutive split decisions since dropping to 135 lbs.
Barao hasn't lost a fight since his MMA debut all the way back in 2005, and has won three straight fights in the UFC. Most recently, he defeated former title challenger Scott Jorgensen. Menjivar, an 11-year veteran of the sport, enters this bout having won three straight inside the Octagon. Most recently, the 29-year-old defeated TUF 14's John Albert in a fantastic fight at UFC on Fuel TV 1.
Penick's Analysis: This actually ends up in a much better fight for Menjivar at UFC 148. That was more of an opportunity for Hougland and a chance for Barao to stay busy, now he's got a guy who UFC fans have seen in a few impressive performances, and is also a longtime veteran with a very solid skillset. That makes for a fantastic matchup, and could vault the winner into potential title contention. It's unfortunate for the Fuel 2 card that they're losing a local draw in Mike Easton, but Hougland-Jabouin is still a very solid fight for that particular card.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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