Mike Pierce Steps In for Injured Kyle Noke, Faces Seth Baczynski at UFC on FX 6

Pierce replaces the injured Kyle Noke, who was forced to withdraw from the contest due to injury. Baczynski confirmed the booking via Twitter on Wednesday following an initial report from MMAJunkie.com.

UFC on FX 6 takes place Dec. 15 at Gold Coast Convention Centre in Gold Coast, Australia, but airs on Dec. 14 in the United States due to the time difference.

The event will serve as the finale for “The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. U.K.,” with coaches George Sotiropoulos and Ross Pearson squaring off in the evening’s lightweight headliner. The main card, which airs live on Fox-owned cable network FX, will also see former Bellator Fighting Championships middleweight titlist Hector Lombard lock horns with leg lock specialist Rousimar Palhares.

Known for his toughness and grinding style, Pierce, 32, has emerged victorious in seven of his 10 total Octagon appearances since joining the UFC in 2009, with only hard-fought decision losses to Jon Fitch, Johny Hendricks and Josh Koscheck marring his record in that span. Pierce most recently fought on Oct. 5 at UFC on FX 5, surviving a first-round knockdown before starching former middleweight Aaron Simpson early in round two.

Standing 6-foot-3, Baczynski, 31, is regarded as one of the UFC welterweight division’s largest competitors. “The Polish Pistola” rides a six-fight winning streak into his collision with the 5-foot-8-inch Pierce, most recently knocking out Norwegian talent Simeon Thoresen with a sharp counter left hook five weeks ago at UFC 152. Prior to that victory, Baczynski kicked off 2012 with a hard-fought split decision win over Lance Benoist on June 8.