Sources have informed FiveOuncesOfPain.com that the jiu-jitsu black belt was released by the promotion shortly after his TKO loss to Brandon Vera this past Saturday at UFC 96.

Patt was the recipient of a series of vicious leg kicks from Vera that eventually grounded him and forced the referee to call a stop to the bout at 1:27 of round 2.

Patt’s lifetime record in the Octagon fell to 0-2 with the defeat. He had lost his debut in the organization at UFC 88 this past September following a first round TKO at the hands of Tim Boetsch.

Prior to his unsuccessful tenure in the UFC, the Dayton, Ohio native was an impressive 12-2.

Brandon Vera (9-3) vs. Mike Patt (12-3)

Even though Vera will be competing under terms of a new contract with the UFC, it’s unlikely he will be retained if he loses this fight. In matching Vera up with Patt, the UFC is essentially giving the Lloyd Irvin brown belt a chance to convert a layup.

Once a rising star, Vera’s stock has plummeted almost as badly as the stock market. The 31-year old is just 1-3 in his last four fights and his lone win, a unanimous decision victory over Reese Andy at UFC Fight Night 14, proved to be a more effective sleep aid than Ambien.

In addition to once being a rising star, Vera at one time was one of the most entertaining fighters in all of MMA. This is a guy who began his UFC career 4-0 and fought like his hair was on fire (even though he doesn’t have any) when he demolished current interim UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir in one minute and nine seconds at UFC 65.

The problem with Vera is that he began to fight like someone with a lot to lose. And while his job is at stake, his disappointing split decision loss against Keith Jardine at UFC 89 may have brought him down to rock bottom.

Vera will look to begin his comeback campaign against Patt, a member of Kerry Schall’s Meat Truck Inc., Patt, a native of nearby Dayton, also finds himself in a must-win situation, as he’ll be dropped from the UFC roster if he falls to 0-2.

Patt is a credible veteran but he will be no match for Vera’s strong kickboxing skills and won’t be able to match his underrated jiu-jitsu and wrestling ability. The only fighter that can beat Vera in this match is Vera himself.

Prediction: Brandon Vera via second round TKO.

Vera has just one more fight remaining under the terms of his current agreement but a source close to the situation revealed to FiveOuncesOfPain.com on Sunday that the Lloyd Irvin jiu-jitsu brown belt is in the process of finalizing a new deal.

Additionally, Vera’s next fight is set to take place at UFC 96 on Saturday, March 7 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. While an opponent has not been finalized, two separate sources close to the bout have informed Five Ounces of Pain that light heavyweight Mike Patt is expected to sign a bout agreement to face Vera.

Vera, 9-3, will look to rebound against Patt following a split decision loss to Keith Jardine at UFC 89 this past October. Prior to losing to Jardine, the former heavyweight competitor had recorded a unanimous decision victory over Reese Andy at UFC Fight Night 14 in July in his debut as a light heavyweight.

Patt, 12-3, made his UFC debut at UFC 88 this past September, losing to Tim Boetsch via first round TKO. A native of Dayton, Ohio, he will be given a chance to even his UFC record while competing in his home state.

Thus far the UFC has yet to officially announced any fights for UFC 96. However, Five Ounces of Pain was the first to break the news yesterday that former UFC heavyweight title challenger Gabriel Gonzaga will be taking on former two-time NCAA Division II wrestling champion Shane Carwin.

While the UFC has yet to make an official announcement, MMA Junkie indicated that Lee was scratched from the card last week after sustaining an arm injury.

A replacement also apparently already has been secured in former BodogFIGHT veteran Mike Patt. Patt is a UFC newcomer who likely earned a shot to debut for the promotion after having won seven of his past eight fights.

UFC 88 is scheduled to take place on Sept. 6 in Atlanta, GA at the Phillips Arena and will be headlined by a light heavyweight bout between former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell and the heavyweight winner from season two of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Rashad Evans.

World Extreme Cagefighting’s official website confirmed the bout.

Baker (6-0) was rumored to take on fellow undefeated middleweight prospect, Nissen Osterneck  at the event but Osterneck had to pull out with injury. Baker has gone 2-0 so far in the WEC with a first round TKO victory over Jesse Forbes and a split decision win over Eric Schambari in December.

Chael Sonnen (19-9-1) had been scheduled to rematch WEC middleweight champion,  Paulo Filho on March 26th but that match was scratched after Filho pulled out citing depression and chemical dependence which resulted in the Brazilian checking himself into a rehab facility. Sonnen’s last fight was a controversial submission loss to the middleweight champion.

WEC 33 will take place in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will be headlined by a light-heavyweight championship bout between current WEC light-heavyweight champion, Doug Marshall and undefeated, Brian Stann.

Read more WEC 33 content  on FiveOuncesOfPain.com.