Rafaello Oliveira (14-5) has been scratched off the card of UFC on FX due to a lingering hand injury. The 29-year-old lightweight announced the news on Twitter earlier this week.
Oliveira was slated to serve as the UFC welcoming party for top Swedish-Iranian prospect Reza Madadi (11-2). A replacement opponent as yet to be determined by UFC officials.
The withdrawal is unfortunate for Oliveira, who hoped to avoid a pink slip after losing two straight UFC contests against Gleison Tibau and Yves Edwards to drop his Octagon record to 1-4. Prior to his slump, "Tractor" ripped through a four-fight win streak inside regional promotions to gain reentry into the UFC.
UFC on FX is slated for January 20, 2012. Feared lightweight contenders Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller square off in the night's main event.
UFC on FX 1 fight card:
Lightweight: Jim Miller vs. Melvin Guillard
Welterweight: Josh Neer vs. Duane Ludwig
Heavyweight: Pat Barry vs. Christian Morecraft
Lightweight: Reza Madadi vs. TBA
Featherweight: Mike Brown vs. Vagner Rocha
Middleweight: Jorge Rivera vs. Eric Schafer
Light Heavyweight: Ryan Jimmo vs. Karlos Vemola
Welterweight: Charlie Brenneman vs. Daniel Roberts
Bantamweight: Joseph Sandoval vs. Nick Denis