MMA ODDS AND ENDS FOR TUESDAY: JONES INJURED, BOUT WITH CORMIER PUSHED TO JANUARY

It seems UFC 178 simply isn’t meant to be the blockbuster event everybody had it pegged as since 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 more than a mere detour on the road to Jones/Gustafsson two, along with the masses were correct. Although it took a while to choose a particular date and venue, the bout was highly expected whenever and wherever it would occur. Then, all of a sudden, Alexander Gustafsson has been made to drop out of the fight with a torn meniscus. No issue, in stepped Daniel Cormier to take his own place along with the MMA planet was even more enthusiastic. 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 probably would have become the largest grossing light heavyweight bout because 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 announced yesterday that he also was hurt in training and forced from UFC 178. The company 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 starting) card that hearkens back to the times of piled events around the New Year. The only problem with all of this however, is that it was assumed to be Alexander Gustafsson’s fight all together, and by January he will probably be ready to proceed. Will the UFC actually forego what could be another classic involving Jones and Gustafsson for the buck signs apparently obvious for Jones and Cormier? It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the upcoming few weeks, but early signs are that the Swede will wind up a very unhappy camper. Obviously in MMA news when it rains, it pours, and it was a busy day outside of the Jones injury. UFC 177 along with flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson felt 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 bit longer to see me win . Great: I’m the new UFC 178 headliner. Bout time that card receives a true principal event.” To fill out 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 just 3 weeks after his latest bout, and he’ll be taking on former MFC champion Anthony Birchak in a few of the better fights between UFC newcomers that has been produced in 2014. The bantamweights will probably fill out a spot on the UFC Fight Pass prelims. Soto’s old marketing also announced a set of spells yesterday, as heavy hitters Doug Marshall and Melvin Manhoef will headline Bellator 125 on September 19th. While this bout is of nearly zero relevance in any sort of divisional rankings, it needs to be violent and fun for however long it lasts. Following in precisely the same mold is the co-main occasion on the card featuring Brian Rogers and James Irvin, two of those guys found on any highlight reel of flying in MMA history. Betting lines will likely lean towards Manhoef and Rogers in their various bouts, as they are the talented strikers in what ought to be completely striking contests. A pair of AXS TV promotions announced upcoming bouts as well, with Legacy FC 37 being headlined by two of its former winners, Leonard Garcia and Daniel Pineda. Garcia simply lost his featherweight belt to Damon Jackson in 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 before this bout occurs on November 14th, and if that is the situation this could establish a new champion as well. After Garcia’s quick loss in his final outing, anticipate the people to prefer Pineda, and he will likely open as a small favorite. RFA continues their tour around 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 a week at Tachi Palace Fights 20, and will probably be taking this particular bout on just over a month’s notice. This line must be close, however, the public may push it slightly towards Manzanares because he’s the more well-known of the two.

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