Alexander Gustafsson has been forced out of his scheduled light heavyweight title fight against Jon Jones at UFC 178, which is scheduled for MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Sept., 27, 2014, because of a knee injury suffered in training.
Top-ranked 205-pound undefeated contender, Daniel Cormier, will step in to replace "The Mauler," who will get his opportunity to fight the winner whenever he is cleared to return to action, according to UFC.com.
The rematch between Jones and Gustafsson took months to put together, with the Swede having to beat Jimi Manuwa while "Bones" got the new contract he wanted. After those two hurdles were cleared, it only took but a slight moment in training to scrap the much-anticipated rematch and break fight fans' hearts in the process.
Jones and Gustafsson initially went toe-to-toe at UFC 165 one year ago. After five rounds of back-and-forth action that tested the will of both men (video) and left them battered and bruised (pic), Jones walked away with a unanimous decision that left Gus wondering what fight the ringside judges were watching.
After months of verbal sparring, ducking allegations and one failed matchmaking attempt after another, the two finally signed on the dotted line and agreed to settle it all once and for all one year after their instant classic.
Now we wait again; however, we have a fine scrap to replace it this time around.
Indeed, UFC 178 is a talent-heavy event, as it also includes the return of former bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz as he faces Takeya Mizugaki while Conor McGregor makes a quick turnaround to take on Dustin Poirier in an intriguing featherweight scrap.
Elsewhere on the card, Tim Kennedy and Yoel Romero collide in Middleweight action while Cat Zingano makes her return to action to take on Amanda Nunes.