MMA

With No Replacement Opponent, Chad Mendes Off UFC 157 In Anaheim

posted February 11, 2013 by Nate Lawson

Chad Mendes - Photo by James Law

Mendes off UFC 157 after Gamburyan injury

Former UFC featherweight top contender Chad Mendes will have to wait a while before continuing his quest back to the title.

"Money" was expected to compete against Manny Gamburyan at UFC 157 later this month, but injuries forced Gamburyan out of the bout. Now, with no one willing to step up as a replacement, Mendes has also been removed from the card.

Well guys it looks like I'm off the Anaheim card. Sucks pretty bad. Ill keep everyone updated with what I find out. Sorry.

— chad mendes (@chadmendes) February 10, 2013

Manny was injured and no one would step up.

— chad mendes (@chadmendes) February 10, 2013

UFC 157 takes place in Anaheim, California on February 23. The 145 lb. contest would have taken place on the main card.

The UFC has yet to announce Mendes' removal from the card, and over at UFC.com the fight is still listed.

Gamburyan posted a series of tweets regarding the injuries, along with issuing an apology to the UFC and Mendes.

I personally want to apologize to @danawhite @ufc @chadmendes and my dans.For my Injury there is nothing I can do it really sucks sorry :(

— Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) February 10, 2013

Training with Fractured elbow for 3 months.I was in pain every practice but I didn't know it was this serious,plus now I got a broken thumb. — Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) February 10, 2013

Following news of Gamburyan's injury, Mendes attempted to find a replacement, calling out fellow contender Ricardo Lamas.

Lamas just recently competed at UFC on FOX 6, earning a technical knockout over Erik Koch. The win put him on a short list of contenders for Jose Aldo, though he ultimately missed out on the shot.

When Mendes called him out, Lamas respectfully declined, revealing he had a fight lined up for May.

@chadmendes I already accepted a fight in may, waiting to announce it, but I'm sure our paths will cross.

— Ricardo Lamas (@RicardoLamasMMA) February 9, 2013