The immediate rematch between Cain Velasquez and heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum (pictured) is no more. On Sunday, minutes after watching his New England Patriots lose to the Denver Broncos in the AFC Championship, UFC president Dana White announced a back injury has forced Velasquez out of the February 6 scrap.
Stipe Miocic has agreed to take the bout on just 13 days’ notice.
Miocic was promised the winner of Werdum vs. Velasquez II after putting Andrei Arlovski to sleep in ust 54 seconds earlier this month at UFC 195. There was no way Miocic could pass on the opportunity, especially since he’s been chirping for a title tile all the livelong day, but two fights in 30 days and short notice might be too much to overcome.