Niko Vitale to Replace "Ninja" Rua

EliteXC has tabbed Falaniko Vitale (Pictures) to fill the shoes left vacated by Brazilian Murilo Rua (Pictures) after it was learned Friday that "Ninja" was forced off June 22's pay-per-view card in San Jose, Calif.

Rua, who failed to pass a physical required by the state of California, was set to face Joey Villasenor (Pictures) in a five-round title fight for the vacant EliteXC middleweight belt. Vitale's late appearance on the card would relegate the Friday event a non-title bout, said the Hawaiian's manager Ken Pavia.