Not again... Surely not again!?
That was likely the response of every MMA fan when reports began to filter through on Tuesday night that an injury had forced Chris Weidman to withdraw from the main event of UFC 199.
If what I'm hearing is true, I hope Jacare is ready. Rumor is Weidman is injured and could be out of #UFC199.
— #Dizz © (@TalkMMA) May 17, 2016
After first emerging via @TalkMMA, the news has gained traction and now that it is being reported by Ariel Helwani we can come to terms with the fact that we're not going to see the Weidman Vs Rockhold rematch just yet:
Very unfortunate news for Weidman, but I feel like this could be a blessing in disguise for him. So with that in mind …
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 17, 2016
For those keeping score at home, that means the UFC main event injury curse has continued it's startling run:
UFC 196: RDA injured
UFC 197: DC injured
UFC 198: Anderson Silva injured
UFC 199: Chris Weidman injured
2016: Return of the injury bug— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) May 17, 2016
A replacement will be sought to fight Rockhold, and England's Michael Bisping seems the most likely to be given the shot. The UFC could grant Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza a chance, but as he fought in Brazil last week that seems unlikely, and it would also be quite harsh on Bisping who is coming off a win over Anderson Silva and he's more than up for it:
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
We'll wait for official confirmation as to the new opponent, but all the signs are pointing towards Bisping at this stage.
