Following news of Julianna Pena’s catastrophic knee injury Wednesday, UFC president Dana White believes the Ultimate Fighter season winner could be sidelined as long as two years.
What happened to @VenezuelanVixen at “her gym” is the most disgusting thing I have ever heard. Ranked #10 out for 2 years. #leavethatgymnow
— Dana White (@danawhite) January 30, 2014
As reported by Ariel Helwani on UFC Tonight, Pena suffered a torn ACL, MCL, LCL, meniscus and hamstring while grappling with a male training partner. White, who seems to be placing blame squarely on the gym, is having Pena flown from her home in Spokane, Washington to Los Angeles to meet with surgeons. She’s expected to undergo surgery next week, beginning a lengthy rehabilitation shortly thereafter. Pena confirmed the injury via Twitter Wednesday evening.
its true. i’m out. #FML #vengeanceismine
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) January 30, 2014
Estoy fuera de mi pelea 15 de marzo en Dallas debido a una lesión. Voy a hacer una recuperación completa. Pido disculpas a mis fans.#UFC171
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) January 30, 2014
Translated via Google. (I’m out of my fight March 15 in Dallas due to injury. I’ll make a full recovery. I apologize to my fans. # UFC171)
Rick Little, owner of Sik-Jitsu fighting systems and the gym in question, responded to White’s comments in an effort to push blame elsewhere.
@danawhite she has tore her other knee, broke her arm and her nose, some people only have one gear and break themselves. & she should be #2
— Rick Little (@SIKJITSU) January 30, 2014
@danawhite that gym handed u 2 ultimate fighters raised from teenagers created from scratch, there is a reason she destroyed evry1 in UFC
— Rick Little (@SIKJITSU) January 30, 2014
The gym is also home to former TUF winner Michael Chiesa and UFC featherweight Sam Sicilia.
Although Shayna Baszler and Sarah Kaufman both petitioned to replace Pena, Raquel Pennington will now face Jessica Andrade at UFC 171 in Dallas, TX on Mar. 15.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘Inconclusive.’ Michael Bisping is still waiting to be cleared to compete after his physicians were unable to secure the correct equipment to inspect his damaged eye.
The long con. Roy Nelson assures everyone he’s serious about taking over the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas talks Henderson/Thomson decision, UFC 169 and all things MMA in this week’s live chat.
All-American. Brian Stann discusses walking away from MMA and fiscal solvency.
Mir gets TUE. Frank Mir has received his third therapeutic use exemption for testosterone replacement therapy.
MEDIA STEW
Ronda Rousey on filmmaking and sexual innuendo.
UFC Tonight.
Alistair Overeem sparring with Gokhan Saki ahead of UFC 169
Cung Le wants rematch with Wanderlei Silva.
A rare chance to enjoy Brittney Palmer wearing long sleeves.
Did you hear about these guys almost getting booted from media day? Many Bothans died to bring us this information.
MMA Fighting TUF blogger (shameless plug) Chad Laprise vs. Chris Indich.
Long watches.
UFC Canada: 2014 Event press conference video
UFC 169 In-Depth Preview – MMA Vivisection
TWEETS
Get well, Pena.
Hated hearing the news on @VenezuelanVixen and hope that she will make a full and speedy recovery.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) January 30, 2014
@VenezuelanVixen Keep your head up cause staying positive is big for recovery 🙏 best wishes on getting back to full health
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) January 30, 2014
@VenezuelanVixen hope your recovery goes well and you are back in action soon!!
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) January 30, 2014
We still have weeks to go.
I saw my Pet Idiot a minute ago. I said, WEIRD, EVERYBODY HERE WON THEIR FIGHT TO GET IN, EXCEPT YOU..
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) January 29, 2014
Nice fight.
I can’t thank @IndichMMA enough for bringing a great fight! This guy is a warrior and I can’t wait to see him fight again! #pureclass
— Chad Laprise (@ChadLaprise) January 30, 2014
Thanks everyone for tuning in. @ChadLaprise class fighter & guy.I’ll be back, keep moving forward. #TUFNations#teamAUS@ufc @UFC_Australia
— Chris Indich (@IndichMMA) January 30, 2014
Good one.
@TouchyFili @UFCNews can’t wait buddy! See you in April! #FOTY
— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) January 29, 2014
Recreational.
I only occasionally use TRT.Mostly just socially,parties,special occasions.My mom makes me TRT outside bc she doesn’t like it in the house.
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) January 29, 2014
Bonus get well.
Just got done with surgery to fix my nose so that I can breathe through it again! 👃 👍 http://t.co/sXciGE6Hgs
— Mac Danzig (@macdanzigmma) January 30, 2014
Fighting Pat Barry?
The guy doing my @UFC photos asked if I was worried about bein taken down on Sat. He got a great shot of my reaction pic.twitter.com/cuSP0l5Yu3
— Tom Kong Watson (@TomKongWatson) January 29, 2014
Why, indeed.
Why pic.twitter.com/EHUeIwAer3
— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) January 30, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Jan. 29 2014)
Bryan Caraway out, Aljamain Sterling vs. Lucas Martins at UFC 170
Andre Fili vs. Max Holloway at UFC 172
Julianna Pena out, Jessica Andrade vs. Raquel Pennington at UFC 171
Sam Stout vs. KJ Noons at TUF Nations Finale
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via SecondhandMMA.
Jose Aldo is one win away from having 14 straight victories while fighting inside the UFC/WEC octagons. He’s the reigning UFC 145lb champ, got nine knockouts to his credit throughout that time, has defeated three former champions and a future TUF winner, and a slew of elite featherweights as well. The man’s bonafides are as solid as they come.
With all of that said, should Aldo beat Ricardo Lamas on Saturday (or whichever day the Super Bowl decides the card should be held), his leap up lightweight to challenge the injured champion Anthony Pettis will be seemingly unobstructed. UFC president Dana White has endorsed it several times, and is ready for the super fight to happen. So are legions of fans. Hardcore fans who will finagle some cash from their friends to purchase the pay-per-view at a viewing party. While the fight is super attractive, it is only because of the sum of their parts, not the two fighters separately.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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