Unfortunate news broke earlier today (May 17, 2016) revealing that former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman had suffered an injury and was being forced out of his scheduled June 4th rematch with Luke Rockhold.
Rockhold dethroned Weidman last December, and the two were set to run it back in the main event of the upcoming UFC 199 card from Inglewood, California.
It has been reported that the UFC is actively looking for a replacement to fight Rockhold, but that may be tough on just a few weeks’ notice.
A few fighters have thrown their names into the hat, however, as No. 4-ranked Michael “The Count” Bisping and No. 10-ranked Uriah Hall both took to their respective Twitter accounts to campaign for the fight:
Training camps separate the boys from the men. This sport isn’t for everyone. 2 weeks notice? I’m down!!! @ufc #realfighter #fightersfighter
— michael (@bisping) May 17, 2016
I’ve had a full camp I’m the only one ready https://t.co/DpbAGh7wHf
— U R I A H H A L L (@UriahHallMMA) May 17, 2016
Derek Brunson and Tim Kennedy expressed their interest as well:
4 wins in a row, 3 1st round KOs in a row. I’m free @LukeRockhold @danawhite. USADA got most the guys above me ???????????? #UFC199
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) May 17, 2016
Of course I want the fight with @LukeRockhold right now He is the champ. I am on the other side of the planet on a @the_USO tour…
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) May 17, 2016
Rockhold and Bisping have actually met before with the champion coming away with a submission victory over “The Count” back in 2014. Bisping has since won three-straight and is coming off of the biggest victory of his lengthy career: a February decision over Anderson Silva.
Hall, on the other hand, was slated to meet Silva at this past weekend’s (May 14, 2016) UFC 198 from Brazil, but “The Spider” was forced to withdraw with an injury that required surgery.
Bisping also took a jab at some of the downed 185-pounders, implying that the stricter drug testing under USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency) may have something to do with the injuries:
I’ve seen less brittle Pringles than some of these middle weights. #usada
— michael (@bisping) May 17, 2016
Who you would you like to step up and meet Rockhold?
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