With just over a week before UFC 137 was to be kicked off, Hawaii born fighter Brad Tavares was forced to step down of his bout against Dustin Jacoby because of an unexpected injury. This is a bad blow for Tavares, who never fought on any Live Pay-Per-View card’s, but instead would have great performance’s on the UFC’s under card. Just two day earlier  Tavares got the word that his fight which was originally set to be aired on the UFC’s Live Facebook card, got moved up to the Live Pay-Per-View card. It is to early yet to say what type of injury Tavares has suffered, and if it maybe a serious one, but knowing Tavares notting will hold him down and he will be back looking fight soon. Stepping in to replace Tavares will be first time UFC fighter Clifford Starks of Tempe, Arizona. Starks who holds a perfect record of 7-0, and is also a Shark fights Veteran.

George St-Pierre’s injury has changed many things regarding UFC 137, some for the good and most for the bad, but one positive thing that has come out of all this is now another Hawaii fighter will have the chance to fight on the Pay Per View card. Middleweight division fighter Brad Tavares, who was originally set to fight on the UFC’S facebook Preliminary card, has just been bumped up to the live Pay Per View card. Some people might not think that, that’s a big deal, but when you take into consideration that the UFC could have picked Veteran fighters like, Dennis Siver, Donald Cerrone, Tyson Griffen, Scott Jorgensen, or Brandon Vera this is great for his Career.

Tavares first got his MMA Career started in Hawaii and quickly accumulated an impressive record of 5-0, but it was his fighting in the Ultimate Fighter Season 11 series that really got him noticed. Although Tavares came up short, not winning the contest he did however earn a spot on the show’s finale and won a Unanimous Decision Victory over fellow cast member Seth Baczynski. Then at UFC 125 Tavares facing UFC & Pride Veteran Phil Baroni and stopped him by Knock out in the First round. In his next and most resent fight Tavares took on another VeteranUFC fighter, Aaron Simpson. Simpson edged out the Decision win, snapping Tavares’s Perfect record.

This may very will be Brad’s biggest fight of his career, and with a spot on the Live Pay Per View card, many people will be tuning in to see how he does. Not to mention with fight’s such as BJ Penn Vs Nick Diaz, Matt Mitrione Vs Cheick Kongo, & Roy Nelson Vs Mirko Cro-Cop this is sure to be a UFC card to remember. Mmaabsolute.com will have one of our Oahu Correspondent’s at UFC 137 and will be getting us as much coverage as he can. We would also like to take this time to wish Brad all the best and to have a safe return to Hawaii.