UFC 138 took something of a body blow this week, when local lightweight fighter Paul Taylor was withdrawn from the event after a car crash. Tylor's injuries are not serious. It means, however, Anthony Njokuani is forced off the card, with the UFC unable to secure a late replacement.
Taylor was involved in a car accident late Monday night that resulted in him suffering a severe case of whiplash.
“I was very excited for the opportunity to fight in the UK. Unfortunately a situation outside of our control has caused the bout to be scrapped. I am sure Paul was excited to fight on his own soil so I feel for him as well,” Njokuani told MMAWeekly.com.
It seems that the Taylor-Njokuani bout could be rescheduled for Dec 30, when Brock Lesnar squares off against Alistair Overeem at UFC 141. Njokuani will remain in England through the week at UFC 138 and then head back home to Las Vegas to get back in training on Monday.
Carlos Condit given no option to step aside – claims agent Malki Kawa
Malki Kawa, president of First Round Management and agent for Carlos Condit, claimed this week that Condit had not agreed to step aside from his welterweight title shot against GSP.
“We are obviously disappointed in the UFC’s decision to cancel its commitment with Carlos Condit to give another fighter an opportunity at the Welterweight title based on emotional reactions from UFC 137," said Kawa. "Contrary to what has been stated, Carlos did not step aside to allow this to happen, and would not just hand over an opportunity for him to achieve his greatest career goal, one that he has earned through his strong performances in the Octagon. No option was given to him."
"For the second time in less than two weeks, Carlos has had an opportunity swept out from beneath his feet. He has shown nothing but pure class in his drive to the title, and will continue to do so. Carlos does not need motivation to fight for the title, he already has it."
However, Kawa claimed Condit will return even more motivated. "He will move forward and continue to train at the level that has made him the legitimate number one contender for the UFC Welterweight championship, and he is looking forward to the opportunity to earn that title.”
There is a busy sequence of events for the only UFC event in the UK in 2011
Wednesday, Nov 2:
There are UFC 138 fighter workouts at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel. Mark Munoz and Chris Leben, who headline the event, and British mixed martial artists Brad Pickett, Vaughan Lee and Jason Young will be working out there in the afternoon.
Throughout the week, Rashad Evans and Ross Pearson will be making several appearances. On Wednesday afternoon, Smiling Families Charity will come to the Hilton Hotel to meet the fighters. Later on Wednesday afternoon, Evans and Pearson will visit Birmingham Children's hospital. At 6:30pm – 8pm, at Waterstone’s, Birmingham New Street, Evans and Pearson will then move on to a book signing of the UFC Fan Guide, which has just been published. The book was written by Tom Gerbasi, and Anthony Evans, two of the most knowledgeable writers on the planet on boxing and MMA.
Thursday Nov 3
Evening (5pm), Evans and Pearson will attend Hunt@UFC at Birmingham Bull Ring shopping Centre, followed by Tesco DVD signing with the pair at Town Gate Retail Park, Birmingham Road.
Friday Nov 4
There is a Fight Club Signing at 1pm with Arianny Celeste, and Pearson, a Fight Club Q&A with Rashad (TBC) at 2pm, with the UFC 138 official weigh-in – at Community Hall, National Indoor Arena, King Edwards Road, B1 2AA – with fighters on the scales at 4pm. Doors open at 3pm. At 5pm, there is a Fight Club after party with Pearson.
From 6pm to 8pm, a signing session at HMV with Rashad Evans.
Saturday Nov 5
10am: JD Sports Signing with Rashad and Ross (Arianny to join from 12noon – 1pm)
1:30pm: Hunt @ UFC (Dana White TBC) with Pearson at Birmingham Bull Ring shopping centre
2pm: THQ Press Conference for UFC game at LG Arena
UFC 138 Lebon vs Munoz, LG Arena, National Exhibition Centre, B40 1NT:
5:30pm: First Bout
11pm: UFC 138 Concludes
11.15pm: Post-fight press conference.
Main card
Middleweight bout: United States Chris Leben vs.United States Mark Muñoz
Bantamweight bout: England Brad Pickett vs. Brazil Renan Barão
Welterweight bout: Brazil Thiago Alves vs. Sweden Papy Abedi
Lightweight bout: England Terry Etim vs. United States Eddie Faaloloto
Light Heavyweight bout: France Cyrille Diabaté vs. Australia Anthony Perosh
Preliminary card (Facebook)
Welterweight bout: England John Maguire vs. United States Justin Edwards
Featherweight bout: Japan Michihiro Omigawa vs. England Jason Young
Heavyweight bout: England Rob Broughton vs. England Philip De Fries
Welterweight bout: United States Chris Cope vs. England Che Mills
Bantamweight bout: United States Chris Cariaso vs. England Vaughan Lee
UFC 138 is live on ESPN UK on Saturday night.
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