Weidman pulls out of Rockhold fight; UFC looking for replacement

Luke Rockhold (L) walks away from a bloodied Chris Weidman after a fourth-round TKO in their middleweight title fight during UFC 194 on December 12, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. AFP FILE PHOTO

The highly anticipated rematch between ex-UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman and reigning title holder Luke Rockhold will reportedly no longer materialize, as the former had to drop out due to an undisclosed injury.

Mixed Martial arts media, MMAFighting, confirmed the news on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila), that the promotion is still looking for a replacement fighter in order to salvage the main event.

The bout is scheduled to take place in two weeks, with a platoon of 185 pound challengers reportedly ready to get a crack at Rockhold’s title.

On top of the list is the number 3-ranked middleweight Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza, who’s coming off an impressive one-sided beatdown of fellow Brazilian standout, Vitor Belfort this past weekend.

Meanwhile, another UFC veteran, Michael “The Count” Bisiping took to Twitter to assert his name for the fight.

Training camps separate the boys from the men. This sport isn’t for everyone. 2 weeks notice? I’m down!!! @ufc #realfighter #fightersfighter

— michael (@bisping) May 17, 2016

“Training camps separate the boys from the men. This sport isn’t for everyone. 2 weeks notice? I’m down!!! @ufc #realfighter#fightersfighter” the brash Brit wrote.

Uriah Hall, whose match with Silva was scrapped in last week’s card in Brazil, also expressed interest with the event.
UFC 199 is set to take place June 4 in Inglewood, California, with a grudge match between Dominick Cruz and Urijah Faber for the Bantamweight title as the co-main event. Khristian Ibarrola