Tucson, AZ-based fighters Kamuela Kirk and Brian Grinnell have been given the shot of a lifetime after injuries have rendered Isaac Vallie-Flagg and Kelvin Tiller ineligible to compete in their respective

Kirk (4-1) will replace Vallie-Flagg, who sustained an elbow injury, in the scheduled lightweight bout against former UFC veteran Estevan Payan (16-8). Meanwhile, Grinnell (8-6) will fill in for Tiller in the scheduled middleweight contest against undefeated Vagab Vagabov (19-0) of Dagestan, Russia.

The 21-year-old Kirk, who will be competing his fourth start of 2015, is coming off of a first round TKO over Edgar Escarrega. To date, his only defeat, came via split decision in February.

Originally from Shawnee, Okla., the 27-year-old Grinnell (8-6) has won 6 of his 8 professional career wins by way of submission. In his latest effort, a July matchup against Levi Queen, Grinnell forced his opponent to tap out in the first round.

WSOF 23 is currently set to take place on Sept. 18. at Comerica Theatre in Downtown Phoenix. A lightweight championship rematch between reigning champion Justin Gaethje and Luis Palominio will serve as the main event while a light heavyweight title fight between David Branch and Teddy Holder will appear in the co-main event.

About The Author

News Manager

José began his career as a mixed martial arts journalist while still enrolled at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University. Since graduating in May 2013, he has attended dozens of high profile UFC fight cards as a credentialed member of the media, providing live cage side coverage through his articles and videos. His work has appeared on UFC.com, ArizonaSports.com and AZCentral. He is also currently one of the main contributors on Power MMA Show at Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, one of the first all MMA radio shows on a major radio station.