The UFC needed someone to set up and face Tim Kennedy (16-4) in the main event of UFC Fight for the Troops 3 (UFC Fight Night 31), and stepping up is just what Rafael “Sapo” Natal (17-4-1) has done.
Kennedy has originally been scheduled to face Lyoto Machida, until Machida was asked to meet Mark Munoz in the UFC Fight Night 30 main event, after Michael Bisping withdrew from the bout with an eye injury.
Kennedy is coming off a uneventful, unanimous decision win over Roger Gracie at UFC 162.
Natal had been set to fight Ed Herman at UFC 167. It’s expected that Herman will given a replacement opponent. “Sapo” has won 5 of his last 6 fights including consecutive wins over Tor Troeng (UD), Joao Zeferino (UD), and Sean Spencer (SUB).
UFC Fight for the Troops 3 (UFC Fight Night 31) takes place on November 6, at Fort Campbell in Kentucky.
