Just 11 days before UFC Fight Night 76 hits the 3Arena in Dublin, some worrying reports that have since been confirmed popped up on social media.
For the non-Irish fans who were looking forward to UFC Dublin, the co-main event of Ben Rothwell vs Stipe Miocic arguably the biggest draw. Two big, bruising heavyweights on a great run of form with the winner being thrust into the title picture, it was shaping up to be a classic, but when Rothwell tweeted this earlier in the day, many fans resigned themselves to the fact that it wouldn't be happening:
... @stipemiocicufc for real?
— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) October 13, 2015
We were waiting for official confirmation, and it came from Ariel Helwani:
Confirmed w/ sources that Miocic is out of Rothwell fight due to an undisclosed injury. First reported by @mmajunkie. No word on replacement
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 13, 2015
... Or if there will even be a replacement. Fight is in 11 days.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) October 13, 2015
And then from Miocic himself:
Gutted Sorry to the fans. Sorry to the @ufc sorry to @RothwellFighter
I'll be back soon. But first I'd like to be able to put my socks on
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) October 13, 2015
Seriously disappointing. More so because with the event being only 11 days away, it's going to be difficult to find someone to step in and take a fight against Rothwell, who is coming off the back of impressive wins over Brandon Vera, Alistair Overeem, and Matt Mitrione.
But that hasn't stopped Rothwell from retweeting some of the fans' suggestions for a late replacement:
@RothwellFighter Please, please, let Travis Browne suddenly feel like getting his ass kicked.
— Yuriy Kleyner (@YKBuzzard) October 13, 2015
@AndreiArlovski you should step in and fight @RothwellFighter
— Jake Camargo (@ricoj3323) October 13, 2015
We'll keep you updated on any news that surfaces regarding a potential replacement.
Fingers crossed.
