Jimi Manuwa was forced out of UFC Sao Paulo main event with a leg injury, and Eryk Anders stepped in against Thiago Santos on only six days’ notice Saturday night in Brazil. However, “Marreta” was close to pulling out of the card as well.
Santos, who replaced injured Glover Teixeira in a five-round light heavyweight clash on a month’s notice, suffered a thigh injury eight days before the fight, his coach Tata Duarte told MMA Fighting after the event.
“Marreta” sparred for the last time 11 days before the fight to avoid serious injuries, but ended up suffering a muscle strain after going for a suplex in the gym, the same injury he suffered during his UFC Brasilia loss to Eric Spicely in 2016.