Former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez has been forced to withdraw from his upcoming rematch with reigning champ Fabricio Werdum at UFC 196, citing a back injury.
Velasquez was beaten handily by the Brazilian at last year’s UFC 188 which was the second time that he lost the heavyweight title in six fights.
Cain Velasquez is out with a back injury. Stipe vs Werdum for the heavyweight championship February 6th. pic.twitter.com/vPRJYJvOjL
— danawhite (@danawhite) January 24, 2016
The American has become one of the more inactive fighters on the UFC roster due to his injury troubles and he now faces yet another spell on the sidelines as Werdum has been given a replacement fight.
Top contender Stipe Miocic has accepted the chance to become the baddest man on the planet as he steps up on 13 days’ notice to compete in the main event of UFC 196 on February 6.
Miocic was given the opportunity after going 5-1 in the last three years, beating elite competitors such as Andrei Arlovski, Mark Hunt and Gabriel Gonzaga.
Gotta grab opportunity when it comes knocking. #LetsGo
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocic) January 24, 2016
Velasquez, meanwhile, took to Facebook to offer an apology to Werdum, promising that the pair would meet one another before long.
‘Training camp has been difficult for the last few weeks,’ Velasquez wrote. ‘But sometimes no matter how much the heart and mind want to fight through an injury, healing has its own timeline. We thought we’d get through it, but we had to face the truth that it wasn’t going to be OK in time to fight.
‘All of us fighters have all fought injured at one time or another, but I can’t ignore this injury, as my doctor has indicated that not addressing the problems with my sciatic nerve could have longer-term consequences.
‘My fans deserve to see me compete as close to 100% as possible. I’m committed to giving them that. I’m not going to let my fans down, and I want to make sure I do the right things to ensure a long career.
‘Fabricio, I hope that you accept my sincere apology. I understand how you may think this is an excuse. From one professional to another, I can tell you I was committed and looking forward to competing with you again. I greatly respect you as a fighter and man, and we will meet soon.’
