A back injury to Manvel “The Pitbull” Gamburyan (11-6) has forced the former #1 featherweight contender to pull out of an upcoming UFC 128 scheduled bout with Raphael Assunção (15-3).
MMAFighting.com reported the news on Friday morning didn’t provide any more details on Gamburyan’s injury and noted that the UFC is currently looking for a replacement to meet Assunção.
“The Pitbull” was to make his return to the UFC at the March event, the former season 5 “TUF” finalist put together a 2-3 record with the promotion before dropping to featherweight and moving to the WEC. Fighting at 145, Gamburyan earned three straight victories over John Franchi, Leonard Garcia, and Mike Brown to earn a shot at the title and champ José Aldo. Aldo would earn the second round knockout at WEC 51 in September, it was Gamburyan’s last cage apperance.
UFC 128 will be Assunção’s promotional debut moving over from the WEC with a 3-2 record. His last fight took place at WEC 52, where he earned a unanimous decision over LC Davis at the November event. The win ended a two-fight losing skid that saw him lost to Diego Nunes via split decision at WEC 49, and Urijah Faber by rear-naked choke submission at WEC 46.
UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones is set to take place on March 19 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.