A Clash Between Luke Rockhold And Chris Weidman Is Off The Table
UFC 230 has seen its fair share of ups and downs. Earlier this month this card lost it an original co-main event between Nate Diaz and Dustin Poirer, ‘The Diamond’ pulled out due to a hip injury and now another bump. According to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, Luke Rockhold has been forced to withdraw from his upcoming fight against Chris Weidman due to an injury.
Per sources, Luke Rockhold is out of his middleweight fight against Chris Weidman at UFC 230. UFC already working on shuffling things around. This is the co-main event currently.
Per sources, Luke Rockhold is out of his middleweight fight against Chris Weidman at UFC 230. UFC already working on shuffling things around. This is the co-main event currently.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 19, 2018
Reason for withdrawal is injury to Rockhold, per sources.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 19, 2018
According to Ariel Helwani, the promotion is hoping to keep former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman on the card. As one name is currently discussed as a possible replacement for Rockhold is Jacare Souza, who is currently slated to fight David Branch at UFC 230.
Luke Rockhold is out of UFC 230 versus Chris Weidman due to leg injuries. First reported by my colleague @bokamotoESPN.
Plan is to keep Weidman on the card. One name that is being discussed, per sources, is Jacare Souza, who was scheduled to fight David Branch on the same card.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 19, 2018
Just spoke to a disappointed Luke Rockhold. He’s dealing with a litany of injuries:
*His left shin is infected again. He just got a stem cell graft put in.
*He sprained his right knee yesterday. MRI is scheduled for tonight.
*He broke his nose recently while grappling.— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 19, 2018
Rockhold said he tried everything in his power to make it to MSG but, “I need at least one weapon to make it the party.” He’s hoping the recovery will be 4 weeks and he’ll be able to return in late 2018/early 2019.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 19, 2018
Rockhold last fought in February when he lost to Yoel Romero. He was briefly linked to a light heavyweight fight with Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 227 but was forced to pull out due to an injury as well.
UFC 230 is set to take place on Nov. 3 and the main headliner feature a heavyweight title fight between current champion Daniel Cormier and Derrick Lewis.
UPDATE:
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto who after spoke with UFC president Dana White confirmed that Jacare Souza will step in to face Chris Weidman at UFC 230 co-main event.
Weidman vs. Jacare is done, per Dana White. UFC trying to keep David Branch, who was scheduled to fight Jacare, on the card. Jared Cannonier is a possibility, but not done.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 20, 2018
Weidman vs. Jacare is done, per Dana White. UFC trying to keep David Branch, who was scheduled to fight Jacare, on the card. Jared Cannonier is a possibility, but not done.
