Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fans can look forward to an explosive 2016 with UFC 195 set to take place on Jan. 2.
From the looks of it, the UFC wants to start the year with a big bang, announcing a blockbuster main event featuring Andrei Arlovski going up against Stipe Miocic.
Now, if that matchup has got you interested, that is just one-half of what UFC 195 promises to bring. Carlos Condit will be facing Robbie Lawler as well, making it an interesting kick-off UFC event for 2016.
Of the two, the first one mentioned seems to be an interesting matchup, but not as far as the fight is concerned.
Rather, it pertains more to the actual health condition of Miocic. The 33-year-old Croatian pulled out of a scheduled match with Ben Rothwell for UFC Fight Night 76 in Dublin due to an undisclosed injury.
Gutted Sorry to the fans. Sorry to the @ufc sorry to @RothwellFighter I'll be back soon. But first I'd like to be able to put my socks on
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) October 13, 2015 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">The alleged injury seems to be a foot-related one, in reference to tweet made by Miocic that he couldn't wear his socks. That, of course, was never confirmed; but it seems that such will no longer matter.
Assuming that it is indeed a foot injury, it seems interesting to find Miocic facing Arlovski instead of Ben Rothwell for UFC 195. Well, a good answer there is the rankings.
Heavyweight barnburner set for co-main at #UFC195" data-caption="null" data-credit="null">
Miocic is ranked third in the UFC heavyweight rankings while Arlovski is next at fourth. Rothwell is seventh.
So with that said, it seems that such was the basis of the UFC as they expectedly go for the more interesting fights who are the nearest contenders for the division.
With that said, where does this leave Rothwell?
Rothwell had set his sights on possible a rematch with Matt Mitrione for UFC Fight Night 76, the same fighter he defeated in June, but nothing really materialized.
Right now, Rothwell is left out of the equation but one has to wonder how he is approaching Miocic's condition. Is he really injured or was he purposely pulled for some other reason?
UFC 195 is still far way off, giving Miocic ample time to prepare.
As far as Rothwell is concerned, he will be expected unhappy for being passed up for UFC 195.
