Wiuff (photo courtesy Bellator.com)

By FCF Staff

Championship Fighting Alliance has announced that Valentijn Overeem has been forced to withdraw from his May 24th bout with Mike Kyle, due to a rib injury. Stepping into take his place on short notice will be UFC and Bellator vet Travis Wiuff.

“Everyone at CFA wishes Valentijn Overeem a fast recovery from the rib injury he incurred this week,” CFA CEO Jorge de la Noval was quoted saying in a press release. “He had to pull out of this fight, but fortunately we have found a replacement. I’m pleased to announce that Travis Wiuff has agreed to fight Mike Kyle and that the main event of CFA 11 is a now a rematch that both of these fighters have wanted for years. Their first fight in 2010 was ruled a no-contest and now, three years later, they finally have a chance to settle the score and to do it for all their fans live on AXS TV.”

Recently, there has also been footage circulating of Overeem reportedly competing at a April 27th, Pancrase Fighting Championship event in France. The video purportedly shows Overeem getting stopped by Konstantin Gluhov with a knee to the jaw.

Wiuff (68-17) will be looking to end a three fight losing streak he’s incurred while fighting under the Bellator and Abu Dhabi Warriors banner, after winning six straight.

Kyle (19-9-1) is coming off a submission loss to Gegard Mousasi at a Strikeforce event in January. The veteran is 3-1 with 1 no contest in his last five bouts.

Kyle and Wiuff fought at a King of the Cage event in February, 2010, but the bout was declared a no contest, after Wiuff was struck after the second round bell.

CFA 11 will be hosted by the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Florida.