Chael Sonnen at the 2011 Fighters Only World MMA Awards – Image by Ethan Miller/Getty Images North America
Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight contender Chael Sonnen (27-13-1) is looking to replace an injured Antônio Rogério Nogueira at this months UFC 161 event.
News of Nogueira’s withdrawal from the Canadian event broke Sunday with the Brazilian forced off the pay-per-view card due to a back injury.
Sonnen was quick to throw his name in the mix as a replacement for the event calling out ‘Lil Nog’s’ opponent Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua via Twitter.
– @ShogunRua I HEAR BRAZILIAN CHICKEN IS OFF THE MENU. AMERICAN GANGSTER IS STILL AVAILABLE IF YOU WANT TO SEND YOUR WAITRESS OVER.
With less than two weeks to go before UFC 161 the top promotion has little time left to find a viable replacement and the inclusion of Sonnen on the card would certainly boost pay-per-view numbers.
Having already lost the main event due to injury, an interim bantamweight title fight between Renan Barão and Eddie Wineland, this would certainly be a fun fight for fans.
UFC 161: Evans vs. Henderson is expected to take place on June 14, 2013 at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.