Best Replacement Fights In UFC History

Yesterday the UFC announced that Brock Lesnar has pulled out of his scheduled title defense at UFC 106. The UFC was quick to promote Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz to main event status. Despite the quick move, UFC still finds itself down a featured fight with less than four weeks to find a replacement. The UFC is no stranger to replacement fights. Here are some of the best in UFC history.

In the early days of the UFC, replacement fighters were hard to come by. Perhaps the biggest example of this is a main event fight between Tito Ortiz, and Patrick Cote. Things got better though, as you will see here.

Thiago Alves vs. Josh Koscheck replacing Thiago Alves vs. Diego Sanchez

The orignally scheduled bout would have been a good one, but Koscheck was considered to be the stronger welterweight contender, with better striking and better wrestling abilities.

Thiago Alves managed to dominate the striking exchanges with leg kicks while neutralizing Koscheck’s wrestling. After this fight it was clear to everyone that Alves was the new top contender for Georges St. Pierre’s welterweight belt.

Diego Sanchez watched the fight while he was injured. He soon decided to move down to the lightweight division after seeing Koscheck struggle with the massive welterweight Alves,

Brock Lesnar vs. Heath Herring replacing Brock Lesnar vs. Mark Coleman

A fight between Lesnar and Coleman would have been a visual disaster, as Coleman would have been simply too small, too old, and too one-dimensional to deal with Lesnar. Herring didn’t end up doing too well either, but his ability to survive the Lesnar assault allowed Lesnar to showcase his impressive physical abilities. Couture vs. Lesnar followed months later.

Thiago Alves vs. Matt Hughes replacing Chuck Liddell vs. Rashad Evans, Chuck Liddell vs. Mauricio Rua

Injuries to both Liddell and Rua forced the UFC to scramble for a new headlining bout. Thiago Alves and Matt Hughes stepped in on short notice. Alves put himself on the UFC’s title radar. His next fight would be the aforementioned fight with Koscheck.

Both of the previously scheduled fights involving Chuck Liddell would eventually happen, with Chuck coming out on the bad side of both.

Matt Hughes vs.BJ Penn 2 replacing Hughes vs. Georges St. Pierre 2

A few months earlier, Georges St. Pierre edged out BJ Penn in a bitterly contested split-decision. The win earned GSP a title shot, but he was forced to withdraw from the bout due to a groin injury.

Penn dominated the first two rounds of the rematch, nearly finishing Hughes off in the second with an inverse triangle lock armbar. Hughes managed to last until the round expired.

Penn’s early work had come at a heavy price, as he fractured his ribs during the submission attempts. He lost energy quickly thereafter, and was a spent fighter by the time the third round began.
Hughes dominated the third round, finishing by pinning down the BJJ world champion in a crucifix position and landing unanswered blows until the referee was forced to stop the fight.

Matt Hughes was able to avenge one of his only UFC losses, further cementing himself as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history.

Rashad Evans vs. Lyoto Machida replacing Rashad Evans vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir

The originally scheduled matchup between Lesnar and Mir was moved back after Mir underwent knee surgery. Quinton Jackson was thrust into this event after defeating Keith Jardine, but opted out after reporting a jaw injury.

The jaw injury opened the door for Lyoto Machida, who took advantage in scoring a decisive 2nd round knockout.

Lesnar’s fight with Mir was pushed back to the historic UFC 100 milestone, where Lesnar was victorious despite Mir showing up in peak physical condition.

Matt Hughes vs. Georges St. Pierre 3 replacing Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra

The build-up between Hughes and then-champion Matt Serra took place on the set of The Ultimate Fighter 6. Unfortunately, Serra was forced to withdraw from the fight due to a back injury. St. Pierre and Hughes agreed to a third and deciding fight for the interim welterweight title.

St. Pierre won by defeating the former All-American wrestler at his own game, winning via submission at the end of the 2nd round. The win proved once-and-for-all that St. Pierre was the better fighter, and one of the best fighters in the world.

St. Pierre would go on to defeat Serra in their rematch to recapture the unified welterweight title.

Hughes would drop his next fight to Alves, but would eventually win in his long-postponed match with Matt Serra.

If this list shows anything, it is that Matt Hughes never turns down a fight.

With the UFC once again searching for a replacement fight, it looks like Josh Kosckeck may have stepped up into the new co-main event. We’re still waiting for the UFC to announce his opponent.  Could it be Matt Hughes?

 By Darren Wong for FightMania.com

Tags: Brock Lesnar, Chuck Liddell, Diego Sanchez, Forrest Griffin, Frank Mir, Georges St. Pierre, Josh Koscheck, Keith Jardine, Lyoto Machida, Mark Coleman, Matt Hughes, Matt Serra, Patrick Cote, Quinton Jackson, Rashad Evans, Thiago Alves, Tito Ortiz, UFC