Sherdog’s Top 10: Canceled Fights

Matt Brown’s back injury nixed plans at UFC on Fox 9. | Photo: Jeff Sherwood/Sherdog.com

(+ Enlarge) | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Condit enjoys a good scrap.

10. Carlos Condit vs. Matt Brown
UFC on Fox 9 | Dec. 14, 2013

The resurgence of Brown, who was once left for the scrap heap after a guillotine choke loss to the unheralded Seth Baczynski, was one of the most compelling storylines of 2012 and 2013. The ultraviolent pressure fighter honed his game to a razor-sharp edge, rattling off six straight wins against increasingly high-level competition. That streak culminated in a 30-second knockout of top gatekeeper Mike Pyle in August 2013, and it was common knowledge that Brown’s next fight would come against a contender.

Brown found a hyper-aggressive dance partner in Condit -- who had most recently brutalized Martin Kampmann for a fourth-round knockout -- and the fight was set as the co-main event for UFC on Fox 9 in December 2013. Fight fans everywhere rejoiced: Brown and Condit are two of the most psychotically aggressive and brutal finishers in the history of the division, and a fight between them promised technical and compelling ultraviolence of the highest order.

Alas, it was not to be. The week before the fight, Brown was forced to withdraw due to a back injury. The Ohio native was re-booked for the following May and rode a thrilling victory over Erick Silva into a top-contender matchup with Robbie Lawler. Condit was pulled from the card and faced Tyron Woodley at UFC 171 in March, when he suffered a terrible knee injury that has since kept him sidelined. We can only hope the timing will someday be right for Brown and Condit to meet in the cage.

Number 9 » One That Got Away