An MCL injury has forced Norman Parke out of his UFC 180 main card fight with Diego Sanchez in Mexico on November 15th, but the promotion have moved swiftly to draft in a suitable replacement for the TUF winner.
Joe Lauzon has now stepped in to serve as Parke’s replacement against Sanchez, and that’s a match-up that’s likely to put a smile of fight fan’s faces.
Lauzon became the fighter with the most bonus awards in UFC history after his ‘Fight Of The Night’ TKO victory over Michael Chiesa last time out. That was his second win in a row, and while he’s not currently ranked in the lightweight top 15, he’s still a highly respected competitor who’s always fun to watch.
Sanchez is another proven entertainer in the Octagon with a string of ‘Fight Of The Night’ bonuses to his name courtesy of a series of bloody battles and he’s guaranteed to be even more fired up than normal (if that’s even possible) given that he’ll be fulfilling a long-time dream to fight in Mexico.
He hasn’t been on top form of late though, losing three of his last five fights, with his most recent outing resulting in a highly controversial split decision win in his hometown of New Mexico against Ross Pearson that many observers were convinced was unjust.
Lauzon Vs Sanchez definitely has the potential to be a barnburner and only enhances the UFC 180 main card which will be headlined by a heavyweight title encounter between TUF: Mexico coaches Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum with Jake Ellenberger Vs Kelvin Gastelum serving as the co-main event of the evening.
