An undisclosed injury has reportedly forced TUF 12 contestant Cody McKenzie (12-2) out of his upcoming fight versus former TUF teammate Michael ‘The Menace’ Johnson (9-6).
MMAjunkie.com reported the injury late Wednesday night, as well as McKenzie’s replacement naming former WEC vet Shane Roller (10-5) as his replacement for the upcoming UFC on FOX 2 event.
UFC on Fox: Evans vs. Davis (aka UFC on FOX 2) is scheduled to take place on January 28, 2012 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. The main card is set to air live on FOX television while the preliminary card is expected to air on FUEL tv. The bout between Johnson and Roller is expected to take place on the nights preliminary card.
Roller has dropped two straight since winning his UFC debut last March. The former NCAA division I wrestler suffered his last loss in October losing by submission to TJ Grant at the UFC on Versus 6 show. Before that he was stopped cold by Melvin Guillard at UFC 132, getting knocked out by ‘The Young Assassin’ in the first round. Roller made his Octagon debut at UFC on Versus 3, earning a second round KO of Thiago Tavares at the event.
Johnson holds the same 1-2 record in the UFC as Roller, but is only on a one fight losing skid. ‘The Menace’ was forced to tap at UFC on Versus 6 in October by Paul Sass in the first round of the Washington, D.C. event. Before that, Johnson was able to finish Eddie Faaloloto at UFC on Versus 4 via first round TKO. And of course, he debuted with the UFC at the TUF 12 Finale, losing to Jonathan Brookins via decision in the shows finale.