UFC 180 is falling apart.
Just one day after word circulated (h/t MMAjunkie.com) that UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez suffered an injury and would not defend his title against Fabricio Werdum at the Nov. 15 event, MMAjunkie.com has reported that Joe Lauzon is also sidelined and will not face Diego Sanchez on fight night.
According to MMA Junkie’s Steven Marrocco, Lauzon’s withdrawal from the event was revealed by a source close to the situation who spoke under the condition of anonymity. The source did not name a specific reason for the change, so it is unclear at this time whether it is an injury or a personal issue that forced Lauzon out of the bout.
Lauzon was originally a replacement for Norman Parke against Sanchez, which puts the UFC in a tricky position with UFC 180 less than one month away. While the promotion came up big on short notice in substituting Mark Hunt to take on Werdum, a representative to take on Sanchez has not yet been named.
The fight between Lauzon and Sanchez originally received third billing on the event, taking place just before the co-main event. While the fight did not look to possess any title implications, it was hotly anticipated by MMA fans due to each fighter’s go-for-broke style.
The Boston native, Lauzon, owns the UFC record for post-fight bonuses, racking up 13 (six Submission of the Night, six Fight of the Night, one Knockout of the Night) during his eight-year UFC career.
Sanchez is no stranger to post-fight cheddar either. The former The Ultimate Fighter winner has taken home Fight of the Night honors seven times in his 21-fight UFC stint.
Lauzon and Sanchez also each own one Fight of the Year award—Lauzon for his UFC 155 fight against Jim Miller (which he lost via decision) and Sanchez for his 2009 barnburner against Clay Guida, which he won via decision.
Now, however, the anticipation for this scrap must cool as the UFC scrambles to find a replacement for Sanchez.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report as the situation continues to develop.
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