UFC president Dana White quickly took to Twitter and called the reports “untrue” but later clarified that injury isn’t bad enough to warrant a cancellation.
“He’s seen an ophthalmologist; he’s seen everybody,” White said. “He’s fine. He’s fighting.”
UFC 119 already lost one headliner, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, in August, which actually opened the door for Filipovic. Losing another headliner so close to showtime would have been disastrous for the event, which is the closest to the Dayton area since Columbus’ UFC 96 event 19 months ago.
Tickets for the event are still on sale and range from $40 to $300 (and are rather inexpensive for a major UFC show).
MOVING UP: After a pair of recent losses to welterweights Paul Daley and Rick Story, UFC veteran and Team Jorge Gurgel fighter Dusin Hazelett (12-6) will try his luck at lightweight.
The West Chester Twp.-based 24-year-old has agreed to meet fellow jiu-jitsu ace Marc Bocek (8-3) at UFC 125, which takes place Dec. 11 in Montreal.
Although best known as a ground fighter, Hazelett has greatly improved his stand-up game in recent years. But both the recent losses came to noted strikers.
Hazelett’s 6-foot-1 frame and long reach should give him an advantage over most 155-pounders. However, it’s been nearly four years since his most recent lightweight fight, and the weight cut could be a challenge in itself.
REMATCH SET: Cincinnati-based Strikeforce fighter Roger Bowling will get his rematch, after all.
Back in May, Bowling (8-0) fought Bobby Voelker (22-8) on Showtime at Strikeforce Challengers 8. Bowling suffered a third-round eyepoke and was unable to continue. And as is customary, officials went to the judges’ scorecards, who awarded Bowling the technical unanimous decision (via 29-28 scores on all three cards).
The crowd at Portland’s Rose Garden inexplicably booed the decision, which came after an otherwise entertaining affair. However, Bowling promised both Voelker and the fans a rematch if Strikeforce officials obliged.
The meeting is now booked for Oct. 22 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., and headlines the show.
Dann Stupp is editor-in-chief of MMAjunkie.com, voted best media outlet in the 2008 and 2009 World MMA Awards. For the latest mixed-martial-arts news, go to www.MMAjunkie.com.
About the Author