According to the UK Sun, Mike Swick injured himself in training, and has been forced to withdraw from UFC 103:
Kos swept the American–nicknamed “Quick,” causing him to land on his head. His injuries are not serious but we can reveal he will be unable to face Martin Kampmann on September 19th…instead, rising British star Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley will step in to face the Dutchman on the televised card.
I know the natural inclination is to doubt this because it comes from the Sun, but the piece has quotes from Paul Daley and Marshall Zelaznik (head of UFC Europe) confirming the change. Here is Paul Daley:
“I got the call and I accepted. I came to the UFC to fight the best, and that’s what I am going to do. Kampmann is on a roll with the UFC, but I will roll over him.”
Marshall Zelaznik had the following comment on Daley’s opportunity:
“He was asked to step up and, real fighter that he is, he accepted right away. He’s already done the UK proud by stepping up and I know he’s going to go all out to do exactly the same at UFC 103.”
Hype aside, this is a serious setback for the welterweight division if true. There were already serious questions over whether Swick vs. Kampmann would really produce a legitimate contender for Georges St. Pierre, and now the fight has been downgraded significantly. I still believe Kampmann will get his shot if he wins, because they have nothing else at 170. If Paul Daley wins they are going to have to make some really hard choices.
This is the issue in a division so thoroughly dominated by one fighter. You can try to close your eyes and pretend fights like Kampmann vs. Swick will provide a big fight for GSP, but there are injuries in this sport, and if you only have 2 or 3 guys that are yet to have been crushed by the champion, an injury to any of them is a huge setback.