The Weekly Wrap: Oct. 24 - Oct. 30

UFC 108 Still in Flux

A week after it appeared the UFC would stack UFC 108 in January with top stars who had recovered from various ailments, it became clear that three of the fights floated are not feasible.

The UFC attempted to book the Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin match, originally set for UFC 106 on Nov. 21, on Jan. 2, but Lesnar has not recovered from a bout with mononucleosis. He was ordered not to train for the next month and will not be ready for the date. Carwin confirmed on his Web site that the fight will not happen on Jan. 2 and revealed plans to undergo a needed MRI on his knee while he bides his time.

It appears the UFC will position another battle of top heavyweights -- Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez -- on the card, perhaps as the main event. Several reports emerged that the fight had been offered and agreed to for UFC 108 but was not yet finalized. Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva remains the closest thing the all-important New Year’s week event has confirmed for a high-profile fight.

The UFC was also looking to rematch Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua at UFC 108, but that option was dismissed, as well. Machida needs surgery on one of his hands and will be out of action indefinitely, according to the Wrestling Observer. Another fight thought to be a possibility for UFC 108, Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort, also will not happen, as Silva’s recent elbow surgery has healed too slowly for him to make the date.

Also taking another hit was the UFC 107 “Penn vs. Sanchez” show in December, as blue-chip heavyweight prospect Todd Duffee pulled out of his fight with Paul Buentello due to injury. Sherdog.com reported that Stefan Struve and Mike Russow are being considered as possible replacements. Duffee has left the American Top Team in Florida for Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, according to FightersOnly.com, this after he was accepted to a college in the area.