Francisco Rivera Steps in to Face Alex Soto at UFC on Fuel 3

A late change has been made to the UFC on Fuel 3 card in Virginia that will see Francisco Rivera get another shot in the Octagon.

Rivera has been pulled in late notice to replace Azamat Gashimov, who was pulled from the card just recently. The reason for Gashimov’s exit is unknown at this time.

Sources close to the match-up confirmed the new bout to MMAWeekly.com on Tuesday. Sherdog.com first reported the switch.

Francisco Rivera had a brief stint in the UFC and WEC between 2010 and 2011, but the results didn’t go his way. Two losses cost Rivera his job in the Octagon, but now he’ll get a chance at redemption after two big wins in a row outside the organization.

Rivera took out UFC bantamweight contender Michael McDonald’s brother Brad McDonald in early Dec 2011, and then returned to finish off Antonio Duarte in March.

While it is short notice for Rivera to step in, he was already training for a fight as he was scheduled to fight on May 10 at Tachi Palace Fights so this new bout will only push him back 5 additional days.

The bout between Soto and Rivera is expected to kick off the preliminary card for UFC on Fuel 4 on May 15 from Virginia.

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