The UFC 176 event scheduled for the Staples Center in Los Angeles on August 2nd has been cancelled due to an injury sustained by Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo. Aldo was scheduled to face Chad Mendes in a title defense that was the main event of the card, and a late replacement worthy of PPV status could not be found.
Much will be made of the UFC cancelling a show, as this is only the second time in the company’s history that they have had to do this, but they really do not have a PPV quality main event stashed away that could save the day. Ronda Rousey would probably fight on that event, but could an opponent be found for her on such short notice?
The one match that needs to be re-scheduled ASAP is the Gegard Mousasi versus Ronaldo ‘Jacare’ Souza matchup at Middleweight. With Chris Weidman‘s big win over Lyoto Machida, the logical next contender to face the champion would be the winner of this bout. Weidman faces a medical suspension after his standout performance, and the UFC will need to get him back into the octagon as soon as possible after his defining performance against Machida. Look for Souza-Mousasi to go down no later than September. Most of the UFC 175 matches should be re-scheduled as quickly as possible.
As for Aldo and Mendes 2, look for this match to help bolster one of the cards before the end of the year, that is provided Aldo is able to return from injury. Aldo is a young, protege type but it is unclear if the UFC brass is growing tired of him or not. He has had multiple injuries that have sidelined him throughout his career, and hehas been hard to deal with in terms of setting up superfights that he wants, then doesn’t want etc. In the case of Dominick Cruz, the UFC showed nearly unending patience in waiting for a champion to return, but Aldo may not get the same treatment. If he is unable to return quickly, look for the UFC to try and make a Chad Mendes vs Cub Swanson bout for an interim title.
