Michael Bisping Pulls Out of ‘UFC Fight Night 30? Main Event With Eye Injury, Lyoto Machida Replaces Him Against Mark Munoz


(Michael “Winky” Bisping | Photo via @ArielHelwani)

Michael Bisping has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled October 26th UFC Fight Night 30 main event bout against Mark Munoz because of a detached retina. Bleacher Report‘s Damon Martin has the story.

“Bisping first dealt with the injury earlier this year after his win over Alan Belcher at UFC 159 in April.

The belief was that the eye was healed and ready to go, but another setback happened to Bisping during training, while getting ready for Munoz, and he was forced to visit his doctor again where he was given the diagnosis.

According to Bisping’s management team at Paradigm Sports Management, who spoke to Bleacher Report on Friday evening, the British fighter already had the necessary corrective eye surgery on Thursday and will now begin his rest and rehabilitation.

Bisping is expected to have no contact whatsoever on the eye for the approximately the next three months, and then they hope he can return to full sparring and a fight in four to six months.

The timelines are obviously estimates based on the surgery and typical recovery time, but Bisping could potentially return sooner or later depending on how he heals up.”

Lyoto Machida, who was set to face Tim Kennedy less than two weeks after UFC Fight Night, at Fight for the Troops 3 on November 6th, has been tabbed to replace Bisping against Munoz. Kennedy is now left without an opponent, and has been doing his best on twitter to find a new one.

First, Kennedy, called out former middleweight champion Rich Franklin:


(Michael “Winky” Bisping | Photo via @ArielHelwani)

Michael Bisping has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled October 26th UFC Fight Night 30 main event bout against Mark Munoz because of a detached retina. Bleacher Report‘s Damon Martin has the story.

“Bisping first dealt with the injury earlier this year after his win over Alan Belcher at UFC 159 in April.

The belief was that the eye was healed and ready to go, but another setback happened to Bisping during training, while getting ready for Munoz, and he was forced to visit his doctor again where he was given the diagnosis.

According to Bisping’s management team at Paradigm Sports Management, who spoke to Bleacher Report on Friday evening, the British fighter already had the necessary corrective eye surgery on Thursday and will now begin his rest and rehabilitation.

Bisping is expected to have no contact whatsoever on the eye for the approximately the next three months, and then they hope he can return to full sparring and a fight in four to six months.

The timelines are obviously estimates based on the surgery and typical recovery time, but Bisping could potentially return sooner or later depending on how he heals up.”

Lyoto Machida, who was set to face Tim Kennedy less than two weeks after UFC Fight Night, at Fight for the Troops 3 on November 6th, has been tabbed to replace Bisping against Munoz. Kennedy is now left without an opponent, and has been doing his best on twitter to find a new one.

First, Kennedy, called out former middleweight champion Rich Franklin:

“Mr. @RichFranklin

I’m not sure if you have plans Nov 6th? I just got stood up on for a date, and now need someone else to step in… ;-) ,”Kennedy tweeted.

When we got no response from “Ace,” Kennedy went off on Chris Camozzi.

“Hey @ChrisCamozzi I think you have bad hair, and should fight me in defense if your stylist. (My best attempt at picking a fight),” Kennedy spit out on twitter.

Lorenz Larkin, who is currently scheduled to fight Camozzi at UFC Fight Night 31 might not like Kennedy trying to get in on his action but Camozzi seems fine with switching opponents.

“@TimKennedyMMA how dare you talk about my hair!!! That’s crossing the line bro! I’m always available,” Camozzi tweeted back at Kennedy.

Nothing official has been announced for Kennedy yet, ‘Taters, but we’ll let you know if his campaign of nasty trash talks snags him a new opponent.

– Elias Cepeda