With the UFC unable to secure a last-second substitute to replace injured Stipe Miocic to meet Ben Rothwell (pictured) on October 24, the promotion has decided to pull Rothwell from the lineup.
The show’s new co-main event will now be – wait for it – the lightweight scrap between Reza Madadi and Norman Parke…
According to UFC officials, Rothwell will still make the trek to Ireland to greet fans. Likely because they already paid for his non-refundable ticket.
Rothwell was not a happy camper with what has transpired in the past couple of days. He took to Twitter Wednesday to suggest Matt Mitrione declined to face him in the lineup.
“@mattmitrione lost all respect4u now, spewing such bullshit lies-make no mistake I’ll crush ur lying mouth4free NO @ufc contract needed,” Rothwell posted.
However, if you check Mitrione’s timeline, he seems to believe Rothwell is the one who declined.
“I got the call. @RothwellFighter turned it down. You should contact Twitter to see if just @Rothwell is available,” Mitrione wrote.
So, who’s telling the truth? Possibly both. It wouldn’t be the first time UFC officials told each fighter what they wanted to hear, knowing they had other plans for each fighter in the future.
Regardless, Mitrione is already scheduled to battle Travis Browne January 17.
3Arena in Dublin serves as host. UFC Fight Pass streams the entire event live in America.
Here is the event’s updated lineup:
Preliminary Card:
(UFC Fight Pass 12:45PM ET/9:45AM PT)
Darren Elkins vs. Robert Whiteford
Tom Breese vs. Cathal Pendred
Scott Askham vs. Krzysztof Jotko
Ericka Almeida vs. Aisling Daly
Jon Delos Reyes vs. Neil Seery
Mickael Lebout vs. Stevie Ray
Main Card:
(UFC Fight Pass 4PM ET/1PM PT)
Paddy Holohan vs. Louis Smolka
Nicolas Dalby vs. Darren Till
Reza Madadi vs. Norman Parke
Joseph Duffy vs. Dustin Poirier