What the f**k is going on?
Just a day ago we had a lovely rematch on the cards for the UFC heavyweight title as Fabricio Werdum was set to meet former champion Cain Velasquez in the main event of UFC 196.
Then boom! Velasquez pulls out of the bout, citing a back injury.
Ok, not ideal. But a replacement was found as Stipe Miocic stepped up to the plate on 13 days’ notice to get his long-awaited title shot.
Then, less than 24 hours later, news broke from California that Werdum had decided to withdraw from the bout.
The news broke via Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com with the opponent change ultimately leading to Werdum’s decision.
“I was already injured,” Werdum said on Monday. “I have a foot injury, and haven’t been able to throw kicks in training for two weeks. I would still fight Cain because I was injured the last time, but I also hurt my back last Friday. I went to the doctor, tried to continue training, but couldn’t spar as I should spar.
“I decided not to fight because I’m not 100 percent,” he continued. “If Cain was the opponent, I would go on. It’s not his fault, it’s nobody’s fault. Injuries happen. You can’t avoid them. I have no option. I made this decision because I’m not feeling 100 percent.”
Understandably, the MMA community lost its mind.
https://twitter.com/FrontRowBrian/status/691730294336958466
McGregor doesn't have enough championships, let's throw him in with Stipe. #RallyForMcGregor #DoneInOne
— The Naked Gambler (@NakedGambling) January 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/jeremybotter/status/691729339210080256
Miocic vs. Rosholt please.
— Mookie Alexander (@mookiealexander) January 25, 2016
::ring ring:: Hi, yes, is Alistair there?
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) January 25, 2016
My Lord, what is going on with the heavyweights? Fabricio Werdum pulls out of UFC 196 with injury https://t.co/dnHE4R43pr via @MMAFighting
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) January 25, 2016
LOL. I love this sport. https://t.co/aQbbkBDG1X
— The Naked Gambler (@NakedGambling) January 25, 2016
AYFKM? https://t.co/q6ZBVFy7xy
— Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) January 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/GrabakaHitman/status/691728289665257475
https://twitter.com/RyanLoco/status/691728154646319104
You're joking!!! Werdum out of #UFC196 clash with Miocic. When it rains………. https://t.co/NB0y9l4PNS
— Niall McGrath (@niallmcgrath4) January 25, 2016
DAFUQ 😩😩😩 https://t.co/fQ5UhVXvTJ
— Tommy Toe Hold (@TommyToeHold) January 25, 2016
More on UFC 196 when we know more but we can safely say that there’ll be at least a dozen more injuries before fight night.
