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

[WrestlingSmarks 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
​