Tim Elliott replaces Joseph Benavidez, faces Ben Nguyen at UFC Fight Night in New Zealand

By Damon Martin
Published

An injury to Joseph Benavidez has opened the door for Tim Elliott to step in and replace his former coach from "The Ultimate Fighter".

Elliott will now take on Ben Nguyen at UFC Fight Night in New Zealand on June 11.

Benavidez was forced out of the fight on Wednesday after revealing that he suffered a torn ACL in his knee.

It didn't take long for Elliott to volunteer his services to take the fight in June.

Elliott (14-7-1) is fresh off a "Fight of the Night" performance where he defeated Louis Smolka in April, which came just a few months after he battled flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson in a hard fought five-round battle.

Elliott will now look to get a second win in a row as he faces Nguyen in June.

UFC Fight Night in New Zealand is headlined by a heavyweight showdown between local favorite Mark Hunt and surging contender Derrick Lewis.