Rashad Evans Out Due to Injury, UFC 170 Co-Main Event Scrapped
Just as promotion was hitting high gear for UFC 170, the night’s co-main event fight between Rashad Evans and Daniel Cormier has been cancelled.
The UFC announced late Wednesday that Evans suffered a leg injury that has forced him out of the fight. With the event slated for Saturday, Feb. 22, little more than a week away, no replacement will be sought, according to UFC officials. The UFC 170 fight card will proceed with 10 bouts instead of 11.
UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will still headline the card, putting her championship on the line against fellow former Olympian Sara McMann.
According to Yahoo! Sports reporter Kevin Iole, UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta told him that Evans’ injury will not require surgery, but it will take about four weeks of recovery time.
As might be expected, Chael Sonnen, who has been in Brazil coaching opposite Wanderlei Silva for TUF Brazil 3, was quick to throw his hat in the ring.
“.@dc_mma ya know I haven't been crazy about you attitude as of late. Daddy ain't ready, but he's ready enough. Feb 22 just say my name…” Sonnen wrote on Twitter.
With his fight against Silva slated for UFC 173 on May 24 and build-up to the fight coming in the form of the reality series, it’s unlikely that the UFC would pull him to fight Cormier next week, especially when they have already announced that they will proceed with a 10-bout card.
