FFS.
The MMA Gods allowed us one amazing event on Saturday night but they have returned with a vengeance, striking down two of the most anticipated fights remaining in 2017.
UFC 217 will go down as one of the best cards in the promotion’s history but fight fans were brought back to reality in no uncertain terms mere days after Georges St-Pierre’s triumphant return, Rose Namajunas’ stunning upset and TJ Dillashaw’s grudge match victory.
On Wednesday night, we received two pieces of devastating news as we first learned that Max Holloway’s featherweight title defence against veteran Frankie Edgar had fallen by the wayside due to an unfortunate injury to the challenger.
Injuries are part of this fight game. Frankies the man. Wish him a speedy recovery
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) November 9, 2017
Detroit, you guys are a bunch of tough mfers. I met many of you last month when we visited. You guys deserve the best fight card of the year and youre still gonna get it. I'm fighting no matter what
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) November 9, 2017
Brazilian outlet Combate reported that Edgar sustained a facial injury in training which will require surgery and ‘The Answer’ released a short statement later that evening, insisting that he would see Holloway at a later date.
“Hit with a minor setback but should be back to full contact in six weeks or so,” Edgar wrote on Instagram. “Thanks to the UFC for always having my back. Max I’ll see you down the road.”
According to reports, Holloway will remain on the UFC 218 card in Detroit, which will take place on December 2, and he’s already had offers from fourth-ranked 145lber Cub Swanson and former champion Jose Aldo.
Hey @BlessedMMA,I want my title back. I deserve the rematch. Let’s make this happen @ufc
— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) November 9, 2017
#UFC218 pic.twitter.com/UMtfK22xno
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 8, 2017
An hour had barely passed before we learned that one of the most intriguing fights in the 135lbs division had also fallen apart.
MMA Fighting reporter Ariel Helwani first reported that bantamweight great Dominick Cruz had suffered a broken arm and would no longer be able to take on Jimmie Rivera on the UFC 219 card.
In what would have almost certainly been a title eliminator, former champion Cruz was expected to clash with the streaking Rivera on December 30 but that’s not happening anymore because fight fans are not allowed to have nice things.
It’s all just another day in the life of a UFC fan.
