For the first time in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship®, a UFC® champion has refused to face an alternative challenger after an injury to his original opponent, forcing the organization to cancel an event.
After challenger Dan Henderson suffered a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones refused an alternative opponent, forcing UFC president Dana White to cancel the entire UFC 151 card at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas next Saturday.
On a conference call today, White said Jones refused to fight two-time middleweight title challenger Chael Sonnen, whom he proposed as a replacement for Henderson for the September 1 event.
Ticket refunds are available at the point of purchase.
Jay Hieron Returns to the Octagon at UFC 151 updated August 8
With Josh Koscheck injured, welterweight Jake Ellenberger will now meet UFC veteran Jay “The Thoroughbred” Hieron at UFC 151. A top-notch wrestler with good striking, Hieron has won 11 of his last 12 bouts and looks to make his return to the Octagon a success.
Koscheck Out of UFC 151 Co-Main Event updated August 7
Due to an injury, Josh Koscheck has been forced to withdraw from his UFC 151 co-main bout against Jake Ellenberger. The news broke on the August 7 episode of FUEL TV’s “UFC Tonight;” a replacement opponent for Ellenberger will be announced soon.
Aussie Noke Drops to 170 to Meet The Spaniard updated August 1
Verbal agreements are in for welterweight wunder-wrestler Charlie “The Spaniard” Brenneman to welcome Aussie Kyle Noke to the weight division later this summer at UFC 151 in Las Vegas.
Also at that event, lightweight fighter Abel Trujillo will be riding a four-fight win streak as he enters the UFC to face Tim “The Dirty Bird” Means. Means most recently wowed fans with a 66-second knockout of Justin Salas at UFC on FX 3.
Three Lightweight Bouts Added to UFC 151 updated July 24
Two of the toughest wrestlers in the lightweight division have verbally agreed to fight at UFC 151 as Jacob “Christmas” Volkmann will take on Shane Roller.
Also at 155 pounds at that event, Henry “Sicario” Martinez will meet TUF Live kickboxing standout Daron “Detroit Superstar” Cruickshank.
Additionally, the planned UFC 150 lightweight bout between Dennis Hallman and
Thiago Tavares has been rescheduled for September 1 and added to UFC 151.
Jake vs. Josh Set for UFC 151 Co-Main updated July 18
Two top-ten ranked welterweights have verbally agreed to meet in the co-main event of UFC 151 as powerhouse wrestlers Jake “The Juggernaut” Ellenberger and Josh Koscheck will battle it out September 1st.
Three More Bouts Added to September 1 updated June 20
The September 1 Las Vegas fight card is starting to come together, with three new bouts verbally agreed upon for the Bones vs. Hendo card.
Danny “Last Call” Castillo and TUF 12 finalist Michael Johnson will meet in a lightweight matchup of powerhouse wrestlers with knockout skills.
Two featherweight sluggers will face off at UFC 151 as Dennis Siver and Eddie Yagin, both coming off hard-fought victories, look to keep moving into title contention.
At bantamweight, Japanese striker Takeya Mizugaki will meet submission specialist Jeff Hougland.
Bones vs. Hendo Coming to Las Vegas September 1 updated May 10
After taking down Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida, and Rashad Evans in succession, UFC light
heavyweight boss Jon “Bones” Jones will look to add another
high-profile notch to his belt when he defends his title against former
two-division PRIDE champion Dan Henderson in the main event of UFC 151 on September 1st.
UFC President Dana White announced the news Wednesday evening.
“Verbal
agreements are in for one of the biggest fights of the year, as Dan
Henderson, one of the most accomplished fighters in MMA history, will
attempt to dethrone reigning UFC world light heavyweight champion Jon
‘Bones’ Jones at UFC 151 in Las Vegas,” said White.