UFC 151: Josh Koscheck hurt, removed from co-main event against Jake Ellenberger

Here we go again.

With less than four weeks until fight night (Sept. 1, 2012), UFC 151 from the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, is without a co-main event thanks to a bulging disc in Josh Koscheck's back that has forced his removal from the pay-per-view (PPV) event.

"UFC Tonight" revealed the bad news via Twitter.com, adding that his scheduled opponent, Jake Ellenberger, is awaiting a new dance partner. However, he most likely won't have the same high-profile name recognition as "Kos," nor the ability to talk trash to promote a fist fight.

Koscheck, one of the toughest and most experienced fighters in the 170-pound division, has recently been making fiery headlines with his loose lips, saying that he hopes his former training facility, American Kickboxing Academy (AKA), "burns to the ground."

The Dethrone Base Camp-trained fighter, who recently parted ways with the San Jose, Calif.,-based gym after a rift with striking coach Javier Mendez, was looking to rebound from a very tight decision loss to Johny Hendricks at UFC on FOX 2 just two months ago. In fact, Koscheck -- along with many other fight fans -- thought he did enough to get the nod; however, he left it in the shaky hands of the judges and paid the consequences.

Now it's anyone's guess when the 34-year-old -- who has two losses to division kingpin Georges St. Pierre already on his resume -- will be able assume his ascent back to the top of the weight class. Beating the "Juggernaut" would have given him a great head start, but a back injury could send him tumbling down the ladder further in the opposite direction if it's serious.

UFC 151 will feature the return of Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones, in his quest to overcome his recent legal troubles at the expense of longtime veteran Dan Henderson. Dennis Hallman vs. Thiago Tavares and Dennis Siver vs. Eddie Yagin are also penciled in for the "Sin City" PPV main card.

Seriously.

For all the latest and greatest news and notes on UFC 151 click here.