Undercard bouts pulled from UFC 102 line up for recent fight card changes
by MMAmania.com on Jul 8, 2009 2:54 PM EDT
Email
Print
It appears that heavy-handed Brazilian knockout artist Junior dos Santos (8-1) has been scratched from his upcoming bout with mixed martial arts journeyman Justin McCully (9-4-2) at UFC 102 from the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 29.
No reason was given for the change, but the UFC has removed the bout from its official Web site.
Also removed from the 102 under card (for now) is the much anticipated Octagon debut of undefeated American Top Team (ATT) heavyweight Todd Duffee (4-0), who was originally scheduled to battle former Pride FC heavyweight Mike Russow (11-1).
The good news is that Russow is now rumored to be replacing Dos Santos against McCully, according to various published reports.
"The Insane One" was supposed to take on highly touted British heavyweight Neil Grove at UFC 95. However, McCully was replaced on short notice with Mike Ciesnolevicz after he sustained a cut while training for the heavyweight tilt.
He is known for wearing on his opponents with a strong wrestling base and then usually tries to end fights with his solid submission game. And it has been effective as of late. In fact, McCully has won four of his last five fights, including two of three in the Octagon since returning to action from a three-year hiatus in 2006.
He defeated talented striker Antoni Hardonk at Ultimate Fight Night 9 by unanimous decision in April of 2007, then lost to Gabriel Gonzaga by first round submission at UFC 86: "Jackson vs. Griffin" over a year later. "The Insane One" most recently grinded out another unanimous decision victory over Eddie Sanchez at "Fight For The Troops" in December.
That would leave Todd Duffee without a partner for the August 28 event. King of the Cage veteran Tim Hague, fresh off his thrashing of Patrick Barry at UFC 98, is rumored to be stepping in as a late replacement for Russow.
UFC 102 will feature one of the sport’s biggest stars — and local-area product — former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Randy Couture, locking horns with former Pride FC and UFC interim heavyweight champion, Antonio Rodrigo ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira.
To check out the latest UFC 102 fight card and rumors click here.
22 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
So is Dos Santos injured? Or is this a move to set up Cro-Cop/Dos Santos at 103? Winner could take on the winner of Nog/Methuselah for a title shot? Wishful thinking on my part most likely.
by Jeremyjackson on Jul 8, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions
Maybe they’ll line up Dos Santos against one of the top contenders like Carwin or Velasquez. If not I wouldn’t mind seeing him against a decent fighter like Hardonk or even a fight against Kongo would be pretty sweet.
by Buster Bluth on Jul 8, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m really hoping the Carwin/Velasquez fight at 104 is not derailed.
by Jeremyjackson on Jul 8, 2009 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
i’ve just read news that he will fight cro cop at 103
he was quoted saying ‘i will probably face cro cop’
by ufcaddict on Jul 8, 2009 6:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Dos Santos would KO Cro Cop pretty easily. That guy is a monster.
by Bill Maher on Jul 8, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions
yeah what a monster, just like houston. maybe we should wait a few fights first.
by roy on Jul 8, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
think its the ufc’s first scramble to fill up its other cards to push real a real main event at ufc 103. by promoting santos to the main card on maybe the next ppv. seems like they dont have a main event for 103 and they just trying to stack that card as best as possible maybe.
by bobby o'shea on Jul 8, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions
they claiming hes injured somewhere else so thats probably it. still curious though what the main event for 103 is going to be
by bobby o'shea on Jul 8, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
At this point I’m guessing two of either Franklin/Cane, Wanderlei against a decent MW, or a Belfort debut. Still not ruling out Cro-Cop if he can iron out a deal with the UFC.
by Jeremyjackson on Jul 8, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
franklin/cane cant be a ppv main event, the co-main event maybe but cain really doesnt have any drawing power i would think. wanderlei against belfort would be a sick ppv main event but who knows.
by bobby o'shea on Jul 8, 2009 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
But we still get to see McCully, right? Right? Oh God, please tell me we can still see McUlly!
by PW on Jul 8, 2009 3:38 PM EDT reply actions
Who gives a sh*t about McCully? This weekend its time for JAKE O"BRIEN!!!!!!!
by McArthur on Jul 8, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought McCully was a good fighter till I saw Patrick Cote. My head exploded. TOP P4P. (joking)
by Sean M on Jul 8, 2009 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Tim Hague v. Todd Duffee is now rumored from UG with Adam Singer confirming that Duffee had a new opponent.
by grafzep on Jul 8, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions
The buzz is Cro Cop vs Dos Santos to headline 103.
by Woody on Jul 8, 2009 4:45 PM EDT reply actions
Well Dos Santos’ Wikipedia page has him down to fight Cro Cop at UFC 103, but then Cro Crop’s says nothing of it… Seems likely as Mirko wants quick fights…
by Jimrod on Jul 8, 2009 5:53 PM EDT reply actions
makes sense to take dos santos off card he was in prelims anyways goes from prelim to co main event agaist cro cop
by bryant on Jul 8, 2009 6:34 PM EDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
