MMA: Shogun-Hendo, Belfort Out, Lashley's New Home and the Week's Biggest News

As the MMA world prepares for the light heavyweight title collision between Jon Jones and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 135, a number of other stories have filled the headlines.

Most notably, former Pride superstars Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Dan Henderson have been tabbed to headline UFC 139 in November.

Also, Vitor Belfort has suffered an injury and has been forced out of a planned bout with Cung Le.  Another legend of the sport, Wanderlei Silva, will take his place.

Former professional wrestler-turned-fighter Bobby Lashley has signed with a new promotion.

Dan Henderson Returns to the UFC, Faces Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at UFC 139

Current Strikeforce light heavyweight champ Dan Henderson will rejoin the UFC and face Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in the main event of UFC 139 on Nov. 19.

Henderson last fought in the promotion at UFC 100 where he scored a highlight-reel knockout of Michael Bisping.  The former Pride champion was 3-2 in his prior stint with the promotion.  He is coming off three straight wins, most recently defeating legend Fedor Emelianenko in July.

Welcoming the 41-year-old back will be yet another former Pride champion, the Brazilian Rua.  Rua lost his UFC championship in March, but bounced back to defeat Forrest Griffin at UFC 134 in August.

UFC 139 takes place from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Source: UFC

Vitor Belfort Injured, Wanderlei Silva Now Fights Cung Le

The co-main event of UFC 139 has been changed after Brazilian middleweight Vitor Belfort was injured during training and forced out of a planned bout with Cung Le.

In his place will be fellow Brazilian and former Pride champion Wanderlei Silva.  "The Axe Murderer" will look to bounce back from a UFC 132 loss to Chris Leben.

The fight takes place on Nov. 19 in San Jose, Calif.

Source: UFC

Bobby Lashley Signs with Shark Fights

Former professional wrestler Bobby Lashley has found a new home for his evolving MMA career.

The heavyweight has signed a three-fight deal with Shark Fights.  His first appearance is expected in November, although no opponent or location has been announced for the bout.

Lashley has amassed a record of 6-1 in his brief career.  The American Top Team fighter last fought in March, when he scored a unanimous decision victory over John Ott under the Titan Fighting Championship banner.

Source: Fox Sports

Bellator Champion Eddie Alvarez Injured, Out of Title Defense

Current Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez has had to withdraw from his Bellator 54 title defense against Michael Chandler due to injury.

Alvarez suffered an undisclosed injury, but said through his Twitter account that he does not believe it will keep him out any longer than 30 days.

The promotion did not announce a new main event for the card, which takes place Oct. 15 from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.  It is possible that the fight could still take place during the current season of the promotion, which concludes in November.

Source: Bellator

Alistair Overeem Parts Ways with Golden Glory

Strikeforce and K-1 World Grand Prix champion Alistair Overeem has parted ways with his gym and management Golden Glory.

The Dutch fighter announced the news via his Twitter account.

Overeem recently signed with the UFC and will face former heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at UFC 141 on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas.

Source: Twitter

Gegard Mousasi Meets Ovince St. Preux at Dec. 17 Strikeforce Event

Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi will be back in action on Dec. 17.

In his path will be former University of Tennessee linebacker Ovince St. Preux.  "OSP" has won eight straight fights and looks to move toward title contention with a win over Mousasi.

The Dutch-Armenian Mousasi most recently fought Hiroshi Izumi in Japan to defend his DREAM light heavyweight belt.

The Dec. 17 event is still without a city and venue, although Strikeforce officials are expected to announce details shortly.

Source: MMAJunkie

Hominick-Jung, Pokrajac-Soszynski Added to UFC 140

Canadian striker Mark Hominick is set to step back into the Octagon on Dec. 10 at UFC 140.  It will be the first fight since dropping a featherweight title challenge to Jose Aldo at UFC 129 in April.

Hominick's opponent will be the "Korean Zombie," Chan Sung Jung.  Jung was last in action in March when he submitted Leonard Garcia with a twister at Ultimate Fight Night 24.

Also added to the card is a light heavyweight bout between Igor Pokrajac and Krzysztof Soszynski.

Pokrajac defeated Todd Brown in March by TKO, while Soszynski defeated Mike Massenzio in June.

UFC 140 takes place from the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Source: UFC

Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Alexander Gustafsson Slated for UFC 141

A light heavyweight battle with an international flavor will take place at UFC 141 as Belarusian Vladimir Matyushenko will face off against Swede Alexander Gustafsson.

The pair were originally tabbed to face one another at UFC 133 in August, but an injury forced Matyushenko off the card.  Gustafsson would go on to defeat Matt Hamill by second-round TKO at the event.

Now, with both fighters again healthy, the fight has been re-booked for the Dec. 30 card which emanates from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Source: UFC

John-Olav Einemo Back in the UFC

Golden Glory heavyweight John-Olav Einemo has returned to the UFC.

The Norwegian fought Dave Herman at UFC 131 in June, earning "Fight of the Night" honors in the loss.  The fighter was released from the promotion in August, alongside a number of other Golden Glory-managed fighters.

With the issues resolved between the promotion and his management, the grappling ace is back under contract.

Source: Twitter

Mark Scanlon out of UFC 138, John Maguire Now Meets James Head

Middleweight Mark Scanlon will no longer compete on the UFC 138 card planned for Nov. 5 at the LG Arena in Birmingham, England.

The reason for Scanlon's exit was not disclosed, however, his replacement has already been named.  Promotional newcomer John Maguire will now battle James Head at the event.

Maguire brings with him a five-fight winning streak.  Head dropped his UFC debut to Nick Ring at UFC 131 in June.

Source: MMAJunkie