The ‘UFC On FOX 9’ event in December has been suffering something of an injury jinx over the past couple of days, starting with yesterday’s news that Anthony Pettis Vs Josh Thomson is no longer the main event due to the champion having an ongoing knee issue.
Today it’s now emerged that a further two fighters have also had to withdraw from the show. Firstly, Jamie Varner is out of his fight with Pat Healy after picking up an injury in training.
“I guess the word got out so I thought I’d let everyone know last weds sparring I tore my rotator cuff and will be out a few weeks! Sorry ;(” Varner informed his fans on Twitter.
The fight was expected to take place in the preliminary section of the card and the UFC still hopes that they’ll be able to find a replacement to keep Healy on the line-up.
Also out due to injury is TUF 17 winner Kevin Gastelum who was scheduled to fight another former TUF winner Court McGee on the undercard of the last ‘UFC On FOX’ card of the year.
“So I guess news is out. I tore my PCL and will need about 4-6 weeks recovery. Good news is I won’t need surgery. I’m really bummed tho,” Gastelum stated on Twitter.
Again, the UFC’s intention is to find a new opponent for McGee so that he can remain on the fight card.
Just to recap the current state of play – with Pettis Vs Thomson now delayed until presumably sometime next year, a flyweight title rematch between Demetrious ‘Mighty Mouse’ Johnson and Joseph Benavidez now headlines ‘UFC On FOX 9’.
The main card will also play host to Urijah Faber Vs Michael MacDonald in the co-main event, plus Carlos Condit Vs Matt Brown and Chad Mendes Vs Nick Lentz.
