Fabricio Werdum has pulled out of the UFC 196 main event in Las Vegas just one day after Cain Velasquez was replaced by Stipe Miocic.
Miocic stepped in for the former champ on Monday after Velasquez suffered a back injury and then news broke this evening that the champion has also pulled out due to a foot injury.
This will come as a huge blow to Miocic who was relishing the opportunity to capture gold following impressive victories over Mark Hunt and Andrei Arlovski.
Speaking to Brazilian journalists Werdum said: “I have a foot injury, and haven’t been able to throw kicks in training for two weeks. I would still fight Cain because I was injured the last time, but I also hurt my back last Friday. I went to the doctor, tried to continue training, but couldn’t spar as I should spar.”
Adding that: ”If Cain was the opponent, I would go on. It’s not his fault, it’s nobody’s fault. Injuries happen. You can’t avoid them. I have no option. I made this decision because I’m not feeling 100 percent.”
It is still unknown if Miocic will remain on the February 6 card or whether the co-main event of Johnny Hendricks and Stephen Thompson will take its place.
