Tom Niinimäki (21-7-1) will face a different Brazilian other than original opponent TUF winner Rony Jason (14-5) at the Jose Correa Gymnasium in Barueri, Sao Paulo on December 20. Combate is reporting that Renato Carneiro (8-0-1) will now step in on just 10 days notice for the bout.
“Stoneface” was on a 12-fight winning streak that spanned six years, including a win over Rani Yahya in his UFC debut at the TUF 17 Finale. However, the Turku, Finland native’s has lost back to back bouts to Niklas Bakstrom and more recently Chas Skelly to set off a 2 fight losing streak in the Octagon.
The 30 year old Finn is in a must win situation as he travels abroad for the bout.
Carneiro is undefeated and trains at Constrictor team with Rani Yahy, whom Stoneface beat in his UFC debut. He has 4 submission wins along with 4 decision victories. He is also the champion of Jungle Fights, which he captured in his last bout in July. This will be his UFC debut.
The bout is planned to be the first bout on the main card. The UFC Fight Night 58 card is headlined by Lyoto Machida and C.B. Dollaway.
