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~ The UFC and Spike TV’s final “UFC Prelims” special ended on a high note and averaged a solid 1.8 million viewers, ranking it second all-time among the 26 specials to date. Of the 26 “UFC Prelims” specials Spike TV has aired to date, UFC 141′s ranks as the second best. The top-rated special came in early 2011 with UFC 126, which drew two million viewers.

~ Bellator season-one veteran Estevan Payan (12-3 MMA, 0-0 SF) has replaced an injured Bobby Green (17-5 MMA, 2-1 SF) and now faces Alonzo Martinez (35-15-1 MMA, 0-0 SF) in a lightweight contest at this weekend’s “Strikeforce: Rockhold vs. Jardine” event. The eventa occurs at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

~ Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (10-2 MMA, 3-1 BFC), who posted a runner-up finish in Bellator’s season-four tournament, has joined the eight-man field for season six. Freire is now 6-1 over his past seven fights, and five of the victories came via stoppage.

~ WEC/UFC bantamweight veteran Ken Stone (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has suffered an undisclosed injury & will not compete at UFC on FX 1 event. UFC on FX 1 takes place Jan. 20 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. His opponent Mike Easton (11-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) is expected to face a new individual.

~ Canadian light-heavyweight Nick Penner (11-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is now officially a UFC fighter. He joins the UFC on the strength of an eight-fight win streak. Penner’s earned nine stoppage wins in 11 career victories.