The UFC is taking no time to book replacement opponents after losing four UFC 142 competitors due to injury last week.

In the latest last minute booking UFC officials have announced that welterweight Ricardo Funch has agreed to step in for the injured Paulo Thiago and face Xtreme Couture fighter, Mike Pyle at UFC 142.

UFC 142 is set to go down on Jan. 14 from Rio de Janeiro’s HSBC Arena. In the main event is a featherweight title fight between Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes.

Funch returns to the UFC after an extended absence from the promotion. Originally brought to the fight banner as an undefeated prospect back in 2009, he quickly failed to reach his potential with consecutive losses to both Johny Hendricks and Claude Patrick.

After taking a step away from the sport, the Brazilian born fighter recently returned to MMA action earlier this month with a win on the regional circuit against Bellator veteran Ryan Quinn.

Mike Pyle last saw UFC action at UFC 133 in a losing effort to welterweight wrecking machine Rory MacDonald. The first round TKO loss at the hands of the Canadian halted the three fight win streak that Pyle had out together against Lennox, Hathaway and Almeida.

Click here for the latest UFC 142 coverage provided by BJPENN.COM

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