Well it appears UFC 178 just isn’t supposed to be the blockbuster event everyone had it pegged as way back in March, when Alexander Gustafsson reclaimed his #1 contender’s slot with a victory over Jimi Manuwa. Few watched Jon Jones’ April name defense against Glover Teixeira as over a mere detour on the route to Jones/Gustafsson 2, along with the masses were right. Although it took some time to choose a particular date and venue, the bout was highly expected whenever and where it would happen. Then, all of a sudden, Alexander Gustafsson was made to drop out of this fight with a torn meniscus. No issue, in stepped Daniel Cormier to take his own position along with the MMA world was even more excited. Then the infamous media day brawl took place, and UFC 178 became a must-watch event for more than just the MMA community. It had the kind of buzz which few UFC events garner, and likely would have become the biggest grossing light heavyweight bout since Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans back in UFC 114. Of course, things rarely ever go to program in MMA, as well as the backup plans fall through occasionally. Jon Jones announced yesterday that he too was hurt in training and forced out of UFC 178. The company has rescheduled Jones and Cormier to headline UFC 182 in January, where they will likely share the card with Ronda Rousey in a year-end (or beginning ) card that hearkens back to the days of stacked events around the New Year. The one issue with all of this yet, is that this was assumed to function as Alexander Gustafsson’s fight all along, and by January he will likely be prepared to go. Will the UFC actually forego what might be another classic involving Jones and Gustafsson for the buck signs seemingly obvious for Jones and Cormier? It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out during the upcoming few weeks, but early signs are that the Swede will end up a very unhappy camper. Obviously in MMA news as it rains, it pours, and it was a busy day beyond the Jones injury. UFC 177 and flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson believed that the domino effect from the injury, as his title defense against Chris Cariaso will be moving to the main event of UFC 178. Knowing that lovers will be frustrated with all the shift, Johnson tweeted (tongue-in-cheek),”Bad: You’ll have to wait a bit more time to see me win . Great: I’m the newest UFC 178 headliner. Bout time that card receives a real principal event.” To fill out UFC 177, the organization has put together a bout between a pair of highly touted winners in the regional circuit. Former Bellator and Tachi Palace Fights champion Joe Soto will compete only three weeks after his most recent bout, and he’ll be taking on former MFC champion Anthony Birchak in a few of the better conflicts between UFC newcomers that’s been made in 2014. The bantamweights will likely fill out a place on the UFC Fight Pass prelims. Soto’s old promotion also announced a pair of bouts yesterday, as heavy hitters Doug Marshall and Melvin Manhoef will headline Bellator 125 on September 19th. Although this bout is of almost zero relevance in any kind of divisional ranks, it needs to be violent and fun for however long it lasts. Following in the exact same mold is the co-main event on the card featuring Brian Rogers and James Irvin, just two of the guys found on any highlight reel of flying in MMA history. Betting lines will probably lean towards Manhoef and Rogers in their various bouts, since they are the talented strikers in what ought to be exclusively striking contests. A pair of AXS TV promotions announced upcoming bouts too, with Legacy FC 37 being headlined by two of its former champions, Leonard Garcia and Daniel Pineda. Garcia simply lost his featherweight belt to Damon Jackson at Legacy FC 33, also Pineda — a former lightweight and featherweight champ in the promotion — was only re-signed after being cut from the UFC. It is quite probable that Jackson is going to be signed into the UFC earlier this bout takes place on November 14th, and if that’s the case this could establish a new champion too. After Garcia’s quick loss in his final outing, expect the public to prefer Pineda, and he will probably open as a slight favorite. RFA continues their tour across the Western United States since RFA 18 Occurs at Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 12th. The event will be headlined by flyweight champion Matt Manzanares defends his belt against undefeated Albuquerque native Joby Sanchez. Sanchez just knocked off Antonio Banuelos last week at Tachi Palace Fights 20, and will probably be taking this particular bout on just over a month’s notice. This line should be close, however, the people can push it slightly towards Manzanares because he is the more well-known of both.
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