It seems UFC 178 just isn’t meant to be the blockbuster event everybody had it pegged as way back in March, when Alexander Gustafsson recovered his #1 contender’s slot with a victory over Jimi Manuwa. Few watched Jon Jones’ April title defense against Glover Teixeira as over a mere detour on the road to Jones/Gustafsson two, along with the masses were right. Although it took some time to choose a certain date and venue, the bout was highly anticipated whenever and where it would occur. Then, all of a sudden, Alexander Gustafsson was forced to drop out of the struggle with a torn meniscus. No issue, in stepped Daniel Cormier to take his own position and the MMA planet was even more excited. Then the infamous media day brawl took place, and UFC 178 became a must-watch occasion for more than just the MMA community. It had the kind 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 visit plan in MMA, and even the backup plans fall through sometimes. Jon Jones declared yesterday that he also was hurt in training and pressured from UFC 178. The organization has tentatively rescheduled Jones and Cormier to headline UFC 182 in January, in which they will likely share the card with Ronda Rousey at a year-end (or beginning ) card that hearkens back to the days of stacked events across the New Year. The one issue with all of this yet, is that this was assumed to function as Alexander Gustafsson’s battle all together, and by January he will probably be prepared to proceed. Will the UFC really forego what might be another classic between Jones and Gustafsson for the dollar signs seemingly evident for Jones and Cormier? It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the next few weeks, but early signs are that the Swede is going to end up a very unhappy camper. Obviously in MMA news as it rains, it pours, and it was a busy day outside of the Jones injury. UFC 177 along with flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson believed the domino effect from the injury, as his title defense against Chris Cariaso will now be moving to the main event of UFC 178. Knowing that lovers will be frustrated with all the change, Johnson tweeted (tongue-in-cheek),”Bad: You’ll have to wait a little longer to see me triumph again. Great: I’m the new UFC 178 headliner. Bout time that card gets a real principal event.” To fill out UFC 177, the company 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 3 weeks after his latest bout, and he’ll be taking on former MFC champion Anthony Birchak in one of the better fights between UFC newcomers that has been produced in 2014. The bantamweights will probably complete a spot on the UFC Fight Pass prelims. Soto’s old promotion also announced a set of bouts yesterday, as heavy hitters Doug Marshall and Melvin Manhoef will headline Bellator 125 on September 19th. While this bout is of almost zero significance in any sort of divisional ranks, it should be violent and entertaining for however long it lasts. Following in precisely the exact same mould is the co-main event on the card featuring Brian Rogers and James Irvin, just two of the guys discovered on any highlight reel of flying knees in MMA history. Betting lines will likely lean towards Manhoef and Rogers in their various bouts, as they are the more talented strikers in what should be completely striking contests. A set of AXS TV promotions announced upcoming bouts as well, 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, and Pineda — a former lightweight and featherweight champ from the promotion — was just re-signed after being cut out of the UFC. It’s quite probable that Jackson is going to be signed to the UFC before this bout takes place on November 14th, and if that’s the situation this could determine a new champion too. After Garcia’s quick loss in his last outing, anticipate the public to favor Pineda, and he will likely open as a slight favorite. RFA continues their tour across the Western United States as RFA 18 takes place 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 at Tachi Palace Fights 20, and will be taking this particular bout on just over a month’s notice. This line must be shut, however, the people may push it slightly towards Manzanares because he is the well-known of both.
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