It seems UFC 178 just isn’t supposed to be the blockbuster event everybody had it pegged as way back in March, when Alexander Gustafsson reclaimed his #1 competitor’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 road to Jones/Gustafsson 2, and the masses were right. Although it took a while to choose a particular date and venue, the bout was highly expected whenever and where it would occur. Then, all of a sudden, Alexander Gustafsson has been made to drop from this struggle with a torn meniscus. No problem, in stepped Daniel Cormier to take his place along with the MMA world was even more enthusiastic. Then the notorious media day brawl happened, and UFC 178 became a must-watch occasion for more than just the MMA community. It had the type of buzz which number of UFC events garner, and probably would have become the biggest grossing light heavyweight bout since Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans back in UFC 114. Of course, things seldom go to plan in MMA, and even the backup plans fall through occasionally. Jon Jones declared yesterday that he too was injured in training and pressured out of UFC 178. The company has rescheduled Jones and Cormier to headline UFC 182 in January, where they will probably share the card with Ronda Rousey at a yearlong (or beginning ) card which hearkens back to the days of stacked events around the New Year. The one issue with all this yet, is that this was supposed to be Alexander Gustafsson’s fight all together, and by January he will probably be ready to proceed. Will the UFC really forego what might be another classic between Jones and Gustafsson for the buck signs apparently obvious for Jones and Cormier? It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out during the upcoming few weeks, but early indications 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 felt that the domino effect from the injury, as his title defense against Chris Cariaso will now be moving to the main event of UFC 178. Understanding that lovers would be frustrated with the change, Johnson tweeted (tongue-in-cheek),”Bad: you’ll have to wait a bit longer to see me triumph again. Great: I’m the new UFC 178 headliner. Bout time that card gets a true main event.” To complete UFC 177, the company has put together a bout between a set 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 will 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 probably complete a spot on the UFC Fight Pass prelims. Soto’s old marketing also announced a pair of spells yesterday, as heavy hitters Doug Marshall and Melvin Manhoef will headline Bellator 125 on September 19th. Although this bout is of nearly zero relevance in any kind of divisional rankings, it should be violent and entertaining for however long it lasts. Following in precisely the same mould is the co-main occasion on the card comprising Brian Rogers and James Irvin, just two of those men found on any highlight reel of flying knees in MMA history. Betting lines will likely lean towards Manhoef and Rogers in their respective bouts, since they are the talented strikers in what should be exclusively striking contests. A pair of AXS TV promotions declared upcoming bouts too, together with Legacy FC 37 being headlined by two of its former champions, Leonard Garcia and Daniel Pineda. Garcia just lost his featherweight belt to Damon Jackson in Legacy FC 33, also Pineda — a former lightweight and featherweight champ in the promotion — was just re-signed after being cut out of the UFC. It’s quite likely that Jackson will be signed to the UFC earlier this bout occurs on November 14th, and if that’s the situation this could establish a new champion as well. After Garcia’s rapid loss in his last outing, expect the public to favor Pineda, and he will probably open as a small favorite. RFA continues their tour across the Western United States as 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 only knocked off Antonio Banuelos last week in Tachi Palace Fights 20, and will probably be taking this bout on just over a month’s notice. This line must be close, however, the public may push it slightly towards Manzanares because he is the well-known of the two.
Read more: 4liveworldcup.com