Light Heavyweights Nick Penner, Eddie Mendez Face Off Down Under at UFC on FX 6

Promotion officials announced the news late Thursday night, revealing that Mendez will replace an injured Ednaldo Oliveira. Though Krzysztof Soszynski was initially announced as Oliveira’s opponent, it now appears that “The Polish Experiment” has been replaced by Penner, though no reason was given for the switch.

UFC on FX 6 takes place Dec. 15 at the Gold Coast Convention Centre in Gold Coast, Australia. However, due to the time difference, the event airs live on the FX network in the United States the evening of Dec. 14. The show will be headlined by a clash of “Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs. U.K.” coaches, as George Sotiropoulos takes on Ross Pearson at lightweight.

Penner, 32, saw an eight-fight winning streak snapped by veteran grappler Anthony Perosh in his Octagon debut, falling to “The Hippo” this past March at UFC on FX 2. A former Maximum Fighting Championship and King of the Cage talent, Penner has finished nine of his 11 career victims, submitting five of his foes since turning pro in 2007.

Mendez has yet to taste defeat as he makes his UFC foray, posting a career mark of 7-0-1 with one no-contest since his 2008 debut. The Californian made a single appearance under the Strikeforce banner last year, taking a split decision from Fernando Gonzalez in December. Most recently, Mendez outpointed Fabio Nascimento at a May 5 Lights Out Productions event in Inglewood, Calif.