Incredibly, it has happened again.
Eight months after Jose Aldo was forced to pull out of a scheduled fight with Conor McGregor just 12 days before UFC 189, history has repeated itself as Rafael Dos Anjos has broken his foot 11 days before UFC 196.
The news was analysed on today's edition of our daily sports podcast, The Racket:
It is the fourth time in eight UFC fights that McGregor has had a change in opponent.
Most remarkably, it is the tenth change to a main event or co-main event on a UFC card in 2016.
The news was broken by Brazilian journalist Ana Hissa:
According to journalist Fabiana Mello and confirmed with other sources, rda broke his foot. https://t.co/ClllshmKzV
— Ana Hissa (@AnaHissa) February 23, 2016
Here is some of the reaction to a bitter twist of fate for UFC 196:
:(
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) February 23, 2016
Déjà vu all over again for @TheNotoriousMMA. This would be the fourth time in 8 UFC fights that he’s had to adjust to a change in opponent.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 23, 2016
And this situation is uniquely different than UFC 189: McGregor was 12 days away from making history. Impossible to replicate those stakes.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) February 23, 2016
UFC 196 loses a lot of shine without the superfight. The whole event was based around McGregor making history, but I think he'll still fight
— Peter Carroll (@PetesyCarroll) February 23, 2016
Groundhog day. #UFC196
— Niall McGrath (@niallmcgrath4) February 23, 2016
Well this is peachy. Day ruined before it gets started. https://t.co/bSnwyLFaxe
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) February 23, 2016
Pretty nuts, but not coincidence. Part of McGregor's strength is he riles opponents to train so hard they get hurt. https://t.co/J7JEp6mGvG
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) February 23, 2016
If McGregor does get a fight (and assuming no title is on the line), very curious to see if UFC keeps him in main event or bumps Holm-Tate.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) February 23, 2016
And to the people criticizing dos Anjos, the man fought and beat Pettis with a ruined knee. So much more to lose here though. Tough spot.
— Mike Bohn (@MikeBohn) February 23, 2016
It is reported that the UFC will seek an alternative opponent for McGregor to headline an otherwise uninspiring UFC 196 card. The early favourite is believed to be Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone, who only recently made his debut at welterweight. Other possible opponents discussed are Nate Diaz, Dustin Poirier and Anthony Pettis.
One man McGregor will not be facing is Frankie Edgar, who is currently injured.
See Also: Two Possible Alternatives Have Emerged As Opponents For Conor McGregor At UFC 196
See Also: Worst Fears Realised As McGregor Vs Dos Anjos Is Off
