Chuck Liddell has withdrawn from his fight with Rashard Evans. Liddell is rumored to have suffered a severe leg injury.
The UFC now has to find an opponent for Evans, who was scheduled to fight Liddell in early July.
The rumor mill has begun to churn and some interesting names have come out. James Irvin and Hendo are the two lead candidates at this time.
The pickle isn't finding a replacement fighter, but putting together a main event draw. The show is being held in London and there are concerns about the show failing without the "Ice Man" on the main bout.
Brandon Vera vs. Werdum has become the co-headliner. The UFC needs to find a resolution and quickly.
There has also been chatter on the discussion boards about moving the Wand vs. Jardine fight. It's not going to happen, so everyone can calm down.
The UFC has no interest in screwing over the many fans that shelled out cash to see Wand. They will either add a fight to the UFC 86 card or find a big name to replace Liddell.
Who do you think the UFC should add to the card or fight Evans?
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5 months ago
ufc 85 better be free on spike if they can only find a mediocre replacement for liddell.
Have you seen the picture of liddell's leg floating around the internet? they are saying its a torn hamstring but it looks like someone took a sledgehammer to his leg
I've heard franklin/bisping and leben/bisping rumors. Knowing dana's track record he'll pull st. pierre/fitch out of his hat.
5 months ago
As great a fight as Franklin / Bisping could be, and the fact that it could headline in England, I think this is something that the UFC wants to hold onto. If they build up both fighters at 185, it would make a great #1 contenders match with the winner moving on to fight Silva. Also, both fighters just fought, so to have them get back in the ring this quickly would not be smart. Maybe, if he's healed up, Shogun vs. Evans would be a suitable alternative.
5 months ago
no more rumors necessary. the fight card is set. the co-main event will be:
Rashad Evans vs James Irvin
Michael Bisping vs Chris Leben
i think dana white and company, like i said before, should do us all a favor and make it free on SPIKE. Then i'll give them a mulligan.
5 months ago
Those fights could maybe, just maybe carry an Ultimate Fight Night, but a 45$ PPV, no chance.
5 months ago
I really like the addition of Bisping and Leben. One of the things that I'm wondering about is what happens if Leben wins. Does he kill all the Bisping hype and position himself for a possible rematch with the champ? If Bisping does lose can he play the "I didn't have enough time to train for him" card? If Bisping wins I think if he can beat a couple of top guys and maybe get a shot.
I think the biggest that's going to hurt this card is UFC 84 two weeks before UFC 85. If UFC 84 lives up to its potential it could be the best card top to bottom in a long long time. Then two weeks later this fight happens in London. I really look forward to the card and will happily shell out my cash. But I'm not the usual casual UFC fan. I look forward to Vera and Werdum. I'm actually intrigued by Bisping and Leben. I'm stoked to see Marquardt and Leites. Marcus Davis could start moving up if he walks through Swick. Kampmann could be a interesting striker at Middleweight. I'm hoping some of the production will be cut from the PPV and a minimum of eight or nine fights will be shown.
5 months ago
I gotta say Bisping/Leben is a very big draw for me and coupled with Evans/Irvin which will be better than most people think and could push Irvin into the title picture with a win. And Vera/Werdum will also be a good heavyweight battle and likely decide who gets the next title shot at Big Nog.
Also Swick/Davis will be a show stealer, that has all the makings of a killer slugfest.
5 months ago
Matt Hughes on his website just announced he will be fighting at UFC 85. He will be facing Thiago Alves, and he states that no matters what happens he gets Serra next. If they have this fight and Leben vs. Bisping I will be a very happy boy!
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