Report: Jake O'Brien forced off UFC 72 fight card with spinal injury

by MMAmania.com on Jun 11, 2007 9:54 AM EDT in UFC News

Undefeated UFC heavyweight fighter Jake O'Brien has been forced to withdraw from his upcoming bout with Tom Murphy at UFC 72: "Victory" this Saturday because of a chronic spinal injury, according to FightNetwork.com.

No replacement has been named.

O'Brien was looking to continue his climb to the top of the division after an upset unanimous decision win over the experienced Heath Herring at UFC Fight Night 8 in January 2006.

The former Purdue University wrestler has two other wins inside the Octagon against Josh Shockman (unanimous decision) at UFC 65 and Kristof Midoux (technical knockout) at UFC Fight Night 6.

The report indicates that O'Brien has been dealing with this injury since his days as a Boilermaker.

At just 22 years old O'Brien seemingly has a bright future in the sport ahead. Hopefully, he can heal up and return to action as soon as possible.

Right now UFC.com has removed the O'Brien-Murphy bout from the fight card line up. We'll let you know if a replacement is plugged in or the show from Belfast, Ireland, goes on with just eight fights.

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damn that sucks, i like jake o’brien, i didn’t think that fight had much of a chance of getting shown anyway though, i hope he gets that shit worked out, “spinal injury” sounds pretty serious…

by tha spida on Jun 11, 2007 10:11 AM EDT reply actions

Report: Jake O’Brien forced off UFC 72 fight card with spinal injury…

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by University Update on Jun 11, 2007 10:13 AM EDT reply actions

Health & Life are far more important than any and all sports put together..I love training and competing..but i love living healthy much more. I hope he will recover and if God’s willing..have him compete once again…Life before Fight..

by PhilQNY on Jun 11, 2007 10:19 AM EDT reply actions

I like Jake O’Brien, he did a damn good job against Heath. Hopefully he can recover quickly, and come back fighting hard.

by Extreme TKO on Jun 11, 2007 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

O’Brien is a blanket, and that “fight” against Herring was one of the worst I’ve seen, and that goes for both of them. I know O’Brien is young, but learn to throw a punch, pass guard or attempt a submission for god’s sake. And after 20-something professional fights Herring should have some clue about what to do when his opponent keeps taking him down. AA-Sylvia 3 was worse, but only because it wasted 25 minutes of my life instead of 15.

by PW on Jun 11, 2007 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

damn that sucks, i like jake o’brien, i didn’t think that fight had much of a chance of getting shown anyway though, i hope he gets that shit worked out, “spinal injury” sounds pretty serious…

Really serious. Possible career ending injury. I like Jake also but realisticly it seems like this guys done

by Stafo on Jun 11, 2007 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah, god bless him. Spine injury isnt a term Id be comfortable hearing.

by Luppers on Jun 11, 2007 11:45 AM EDT reply actions

O’Brien is a blanket, and that “fight” against Herring was one of the worst I’ve seen, and that goes for both of them. I know O’Brien is young, but learn to throw a punch, pass guard or attempt a submission for god’s sake. And after 20-something professional fights Herring should have some clue about what to do when his opponent keeps taking him down. AA-Sylvia 3 was worse, but only because it wasted 25 minutes of my life instead of 15.

My thoughts exactly! I could care less about this kids fighting career at this point in time. However a spinal injury is something serious. Hopefully all is well with his health.

by ViolentMike on Jun 11, 2007 11:49 AM EDT reply actions

yeah that really sucks no matter what you are doing in life.

by c-war on Jun 11, 2007 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Hopefully everything turns out alright with this guy. But, I won’t be missing this fight much. Franklin Okami is really the only one worth watching.

by Mahde on Jun 11, 2007 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

UFC 72 just gets better and better don’t it.

by Mamas Boy on Jun 11, 2007 2:17 PM EDT reply actions

He has stingers really, not a massive spinal injury. They are curable, but I dont think he’ll be MMAing anytime soon. God Bless the man. I hate how he fights, but he is a nice guy.

by MoreThanUFC on Jun 11, 2007 6:46 PM EDT reply actions

Perhaps Shogun will jump in, If he does Ill watch this event.

by BAM on Jun 11, 2007 11:33 PM EDT reply actions

Man, all this hating on Jake O’Brien. The guy isn’t half bad people. Sure the win might be a bit boring. But cut him some slack. He’s 22 for heaven’s sake. He’s still growing in the fight game. Couture’s almost twice his age and he just added some Chute Boxe to his camp; so even Randy feels like he has a thing or two to learn yet. How much more Jake O’Brien?

by JB on Jun 12, 2007 12:52 AM EDT reply actions

Man, all this hating on Jake O’Brien. The guy isn’t half bad people. Sure the win might be a bit boring. But cut him some slack. He’s 22 for heaven’s sake. He’s still growing in the fight game. Couture’s almost twice his age and he just added some Chute Boxe to his camp; so even Randy feels like he has a thing or two to learn yet. How much more Jake O’Brien?

I totally agree, if a relative newcomer like Obrian has to beat a hardened veteran like Herring by dominating position, than thats fine, I fault Herring more, for sucking so bad he could do anything about it, the blanket, the take downs, and the grappling as a whole period. Jake is soooo young I didnt realize, he aint gonna be confident enough yet to bash people from the guard ala Ortiz.

by The Anomaly on Jun 12, 2007 12:59 AM EDT reply actions

UFC 72 better have some cheerleaders or something because its not looking to bright.

by jason bang on Jun 12, 2007 8:10 AM EDT reply actions

Yea Jakes fight with Herring was a little boring but he is young. I used to wrestle with Jake and his ground game is amazing although it does lack confidence when it comes to ground and pound. I did see him box a few times and destroy some out of state folks at a local arena. He does have a stand up but I dont think he is confident with it… and why would you be if nobody has stopped your takedown

by JC Hobart on Jun 12, 2007 10:16 PM EDT reply actions