The cursed UFC 133 card claimed another victim this weekend, as reports say that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira has been forced to withdraw due to injury.
Rumors that Nogueira, who was scheduled to fight Rich Franklin, dated back to last weekend, but when UFC went with Tito Ortiz, rather than Franklin, as the replacement in the main-event with Rashad Evans, it appeared the Nogueira-Franklin fight was still on track.
Ultimately, however, the grim forecast proved true, and Franklin is now without an opponent. UFC is reportedly not looking to scrap the bout and is working on identifying a replacement.
Already a replacement for Jon Jones, Phil Davis withdrew from the main-event earlier this week. UFC rushed to find a replacement and located Ortiz, providing, if anything, a more marquee main-event.
But the changes to the card were not done. Vladimir Matyushenko, who at one point was eyed as a possible replacement for Davis, was forced to withdraw from his fight with Alexander Gustafsson, prompting Matt Hamill to step in. The Nogueira injury is the latest in the saga, which has been made worse in that it the most recent shakeups have only involved light heavyweights.
