A reported eye injury has forced the UFC’s middleweight Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping out of the October 26th main event with Mark Munoz. Taking his place and now fighting at middleweight is former Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida.
It’s a bitter blow to Bisping who spoke recently of his desire to not only fight on UK soil but in Manchester the place he regards as his home. Tweeting just hours ago he said “Words cannot describe how sad I am having to withdraw from my fight. My sincere apologies to evry1 who bought tickets. I will be back soon.”
For Machida this opportunity represents the chance to raise his stock after his recent loss to Phil Davis and mediocre performance against Dan Henderson. A notable counter puncher Machida will undoubtably look to pick up both the pace and push the action when he meets Munoz later next month.
Tickets for UFC® MANCHESTER 2013: MACHIDA vs. MUNOZ are available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk and www.phones4uarena.co.uk.