Source: Pulver’s Opponent off Titan FC 18 Following KO Loss

Jens Pulver is in need of a new opponent for May 27. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

According to a source close to the event, Powell has been issued a medical suspension following an April 23 knockout loss in North Dakota that will prevent him from competing against Pulver at the May 27 event.

According to Sherdog.com’s source, Titan officials were unaware that Powell was participating in the April contest, as was the Kansas Athletic Commission, which will oversee TFC 18 at Memorial Hall in Kansas City. Upon learning that Powell had suffered a knockout, the commission reportedly decided that Powell would not be allowed to compete on May 27.

The promotion is currently searching for a replacement opponent for “Little Evil.” In addition to the main event, TFC 18 will also feature appearances from UFC veterans Drew McFedries and Rory Markham, as they square off with Darryl Cobb and Rudy Bears, respectively.

The UFC’s inaugural lightweight champion, Pulver is widely regarded as a pioneer in popularizing the sport’s lighter weight categories. After finding great success in his early years, the southpaw has fallen on hard times more recently. The 36-year-old lost eight of nine fights from 2006 to 2010, including a unanimous decision defeat at the hands of Urijah Faber, a 2008 bout in which Pulver failed to capture the Californian’s WEC featherweight title. Pulver has returned to his winning ways in 2011, posting a 2-0 record in local Illinois events to start the year.