Mike Swick out of UFC 134 with knee injury, UFC seeking replacement opponent for Erick Silva

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

If isn't one thing, it's another for Mike Swick, as he's been forced to pull out of a bout against Erick Silva at UFC 134 in Brazil later this month with a severe knee injury.

The unfortunate setback will keep Swick's current layoff clock counting, as the longtime UFC vet hasn't fought since February of 2010, where he suffered a loss to Paulo Thiago at UFC 109.

"I tore my knee today wrestling," Swick wrote on Twitter after UFC officials announced the injury late Thursday night. "[I] will get MRI results in [the morning] but [the doctor] thinks [I have a] torn MCL, ACL and possibly meniscus."

"Got my health and size back and was having [the] best fight camp of my career then one small twist during training," Swick lamented. "Can't catch a break sometimes. Really was excited about this fight. Don't really have anything else to say I guess. Sorry guys thanks for the support."

Swick entered the UFC in 2005 through the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, and lived up to his nickname "Quick" right off the bat with consecutive knockout wins in under 25 seconds. He added two more first round submissions and finally a decision win before suffering his first UFC loss to Yushin Okami in 2007.

That loss brought an end to his middleweight run, as he would drop to the welterweight division and rattle off four straight wins. However, a decision loss to Dan Hardy and a submission loss to Thiago put him in dire need of a win, but an initially misdiagnosed stomach ailment that was affecting him in training for some time wound up keeping him out for the rest of 2010 and 2011 to this point.

The UFC is currently seeking out a replacement opponent for Silva, a 27-year-old Brazilian fighter making his UFC debut with a 12-1 career record.

Penick's Analysis: This is another really unfortunate setback for Swick. He keeps getting blindsided by issues that have not allowed him to get back in the cage, and it's just really too bad for him to be in this spot continuously. The good thing for him about this injury at this point in time is Zuffa's insurance will cover his medical bills and recovery, but it still doesn't get him back in the cage any sooner. Hopefully his recovery can be swift and he can get back in action as quickly as possible.

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