Report: Paul Bradley Steps In to Face Rafael Natal at UFC 133

by Scott Haber on Jul 25, 2011 4:18 PM EDT in UFC News

Joe Silva has had a busy Monday. After Jorge Rivera vs. Alessio Sakara fell through for the third time in a row due to a torn ACL suffered by Sakara, the UFC's matchmaker pulled Constantinos Philippou off the prelim card and inserted him against Rivera. Philippou's original opponent, Rafael Natal, was left without an opponent until now, as MMA Weekly is reporting that TUF Season 7 alum, Paul Bradley, has agreed to step in on just two weeks' notice and fight Natal.

Moments after Constantinos Philippou was pulled to face Jorge Rivera at UFC 133, his original opponent Rafael ‘Sapo’ Natal will now face former ‘Ultimate Fighter’ competitor Paul Bradley in Philadelphia.
Sources close to the match-up confirmed the new bout to MMAWeekly.com on Monday, with verbal agreements in place for the fight.

Bradley competed on the seventh season of The Ultimate Fighter and won his opening round fight, but was removed from the house just a few episodes later due to a contagious skin infection. Bradley never got a fight on the season finale and instead, has compiled an impressive 10-2 record on the regional circuit, with the two losses coming against current UFC welterweight stud Mike Pierce, and Strikeforce middleweight title contender, Luke Rockhold. A Minnesota native who trains with Sean Sherk and Nik Lentz at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, Bradley is currently on a three-fight winning streak, winning all three fights by submission, with the most recent taking place just this past weekend.

Paul "The Gentleman" Bradley (16-2)
Win Eddie Larrea (submission - arm triangle choke) - Extreme Challenge 188
Win Ted Worthington (submission - neck crank) - Extreme Challenge on Target
Win Johnny Rees (submission - rear naked choke) - Shark Fights 13

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Who?

For a split second I thought Kyle Bradley was the fighter you were referring to.

I went whale watching the other day. I think. There were a lot of people in that lake.

by SSreporters on Jul 25, 2011 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

Paul’s a better fighter than Kyle (or Phillipou for that matter).
Very capable of beating Natal

by KOQ24 on Jul 25, 2011 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

This is very cool. I felt so bad for Paul when they had to remove him from the show, nice to see him get another shot.

1. Anderson Silva is waiting for you to punch him.
2. That guy is Anderson Silva.
3. Don't fucking punch that guy.

by Chris Barton on Jul 25, 2011 4:28 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

On full notice I'd give Bradley the nod here

Sappo beats him after a full camp though. Bradley is a gnarly wrestler though. Just an undersized one at middleweight.

" Tell me something Steve, How does a guy from Puerto Rico loose a ball in the Sun? "

by aaronb on Jul 25, 2011 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

Good for Bradley. I thought Strikeforce was rash for getting rid of him after one loss. Although he was particularly dominated by Luke Rockhold. I think he’s much better suited for welterweight, but he has a chance to beat Natal, a pretty good one too

by Robert V-U on Jul 25, 2011 4:44 PM EDT reply actions