James Krause Tapped to Replace Injured Isaac Vallie-Flagg Against Sam Stout at UFC 161

Sherdog.com first reported Vallie-Flagg’s withdrawal on Tuesday night, as the Jackson’s MMA product was forced to withdraw from the booking after injuring his back. UFC 161 takes place June 15 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba and marks the Las Vegas-based promotion’s first trip to the Canadian province. The event is headlined by a light heavyweight showdown pitting Dan Henderson against Rashad Evans and will also see Antonio Rogerio Nogueira square off with Mauricio Rua in a long-anticipated rematch.

Krause, 26, has won seven straight fights heading into his Octagon debut. The World Extreme Cagefighting and Bellator veteran introduced himself to UFC audiences last year as a hopeful contestant on “The Ultimate Fighter: Live.” However, Krause’s run on “TUF 15” was halted nearly before it began, as the lightweight was knocked out by Justin Lawrence in the qualifying round. More recently, Krause has been on a tear in the Resurrection Fighting Alliance and was last seen outpointing two-time Bellator tournament finalist Toby Imada on Jan. 18.

Three years older than his new foe, Stout enters the cage having alternated wins and losses in his last four fights, most recently taking a hard-fought unanimous verdict from Caros Fodor on Feb. 23 at UFC 157. Prior to that triumph, the Canadian earned a 1-2 record in 2012, posting a unanimous decision victory over Spencer Fisher between losses to Thiago Tavares and John Makdessi.