UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo (24-1) has been forced out of the seventh defense of his 145lb title due to suffering a shoulder and cervical spine injury.
The 27-year-old Brazilian was scheduled to attempt a seventh defense of his UFC crown at UFC 176 in a second encounter with perennial top contender Chad Mendes (16-1). The development was revealed on Wednesday’s edition of UFC Tonight.
Following the news, Aldo’s Nova Uniao team revealed that the fighter suffered the injruy on July 1 when being taken down in training. He is said to have started physical therapy on Wednesday, July 2. Aldo will have a cervical spine examination in three weeks and will be unable to train in the meantime.
Title challenger Mendes, who has only ever been defeated by Aldo and is 5-0 since their last encounter, posted his reaction on Twitter.
The UFC are yet to reveal plans for a new main event, UFC 176 takes place on Aug.2 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
