Joe Proctor injured, scratched from UFC 159; promotion seeking replacement

UFC lightweight Joe Proctor (8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has been injured in training, and promotion officials are currently seeking a replacement opponent for Al Iaquinta (5-2-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at this month’s UFC 159 event.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today learned from sources close to the fighters that Proctor is a late scratch but Iaquinta is hoping to get a new foe for the event, which takes place in less than three weeks.

UFC 159 takes place April 27 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The main card, including a headliner between light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen, airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FX and Facebook.

Proctor and Iaquinta were both part of Urijah Faber‘s team during “The Ultimate Fighter 15? this past year. James Vick bounced Proctor in the quarterfinals. Iaquinta, meanwhile, advanced to the tournament final, where he suffered a loss to show champion Michael Chiesa.

Since the show, Proctor defeated Jeremy Larsen via knockout at the TUF 15 Finale for his fourth consecutive pro win. However, in his most recent bout, the Massachusetts-based fighter suffered a decision loss to “TUF 13? runner-up Ramsey Nijem.

A timetable for his return was not immediately available.

Iaquinta, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since his time on the show. The hard-hitting Serra-Longo Fight Team member looks to snap a two-fight skid in the pro ranks, which included a submission loss to Pat Audinwood prior to his time on “TUF 15.”

For more on UFC 159, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Joe Proctor)