MMA Junkie reports that Jose Aldo is out of UFC 153 with an injury. The news piled on the fact that earlier today co-main event participant Rampage Jackson was out as well.
Aldo was set to do battle with Frankie Edgar after Edgar stepped in for an injured Erik Koch. The UFC thought it was out of danger after Aldo escaped serious injury after a motorcycle accident last week. But, today’s announcement leaves the UFC in an all too familiar spot of trying to fill-in spots for injured fighters. The news of Rampage Jackson’s injury was a precursor for the Aldo news.
Payout Perspective:
The Aldo injury puts a damper on the whole PPV and the buzz with the fight occurring in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil once again. There is speculation that the UFC may move Jones-Belfort to 153 from 152 to appease the Brazilian fans although that may upset fans in Toronto. A definite slippery slope as the UFC is heading to two big cities with rabid fans. The fact that Canada and Brazil have passionate fans may alleviate the economic hit the UFC may take with these late scratches. The UFC must really scramble as 153’s loss of main event and co-main event make the card susceptible to cancellation if it cannot reschedule fights.
Today’s injury announcements must have the UFC bring into question the issue of fighter training and what is going on with the endemic of injuries among its fighters. While the UFC has nothing to do with fight camps one has to think the UFC has to involve itself with this year’s injuries.
That’s it for me. I aknowledge that the fighters, camps and the Ufc are more frustrated than me who’s just a fan who wants to enjoy the final product. Also I hope for a good recovery for the individual. But the amount of injuries is just ridiculous. I’ve lost my patience
I would howl of if the culinary academy was behind all of this. If I really wanted to sink the UFC I would shell out the dollars in CASH to have these fighters drop out and ruin the UFC.
Zuffa should be wary.
michael,
I agree. It’s been a hell of a year for injuries and I think in part it’s because the sport is so competitive that fight camps have become steadily more grueling. I also think that fighters are less willing to show up injured with so much more on the line if they win – Rampage did in his last fight and dropped out of the top 10 as a result, I doubt he’ll do that again.
Sampson,
Really dude? Maybe it’s the people who shot JFK who are behind this. Adjust the tin-foil on your head, I think the alien brain-disruption rays are getting through.
The answer to the problem is put it their contracts they have to fight 4 times per year and there is penalties for pulling out of fights. Other sports do this especially to high risk players. Guys who have been injured before have to play in so many games that season to get all of their money in the contract. The UFC needs to do this before it is to late. To be honest i love live UFC events and have been to 7 of them in many different states from Mass to Georgia and in between. But i am not even thiking about attending another live show. I have no faith the fights they claim we are buying are going to happen. This “injuries” and i think many of them are fake and the fighters is just ducking a bad match up are killing the UFC and in turn the sport.
Haha maybe we can put up betting lines on reschedulings of future fightcards 😉
BSmash: I could be wrong, but I think fighters’ status as “independent contractors” as opposed to “employees” prevents the UFC from attaching penalties to their contracts, and they also can’t enforce a policy of forcing fighters to fight a certain number of times per year. The big stick and ball sports don’t have that problem since the players are employees.
I agree though, something needs to change; the rapid increase in the injury rate is odd and there has to be a reason, hopefully one that can be remedied.
PS: Don’t feed the troll guys, just ignore it. It goes back under the bridge eventually if neglected.
I think the reason fighters aren’t fighting through injuries anymore has more to do with the insurance policy Zuffa bought on all the fighters. Now, fighters will be able to file a medical claim, and get paid a percentage of their purse. Also, the fight teams are filled with top caliber training partners and fighters are less willing to fight a high stakes fight when injured. There is much more on the line now, the money is bigger, the competition is better and the exposure is higher than ever.