With a bantamweight scrap between John Lineker and John Dodson serving as UFC Fight Night 96’s headliner on Oct. 1 from Moda Center in Portland, Oregon, the main card needed as much fire power as possible. Not that Lineker and Dodson aren’t stars in their own right, but the FOX Sports 1 event would have fared much better with a little depth.
Unfortunately, per a report by MMA Junkie, both Bobby Green and Brian Ortega pulled out of UFC Fight Night 96 earlier today (Fri., Sept. 9, 2016). Green’s reason for withdrawing from his lightweight bout opposite journeyman Josh Burkman has yet to be revealed, while an injury to Ortega forced him out of his featherweight contest with Brazilian veteran Hacran Dias. UFC is looking for replacements for both fighters.
This is a crushing blow for both Green and Ortega. After getting starched by Dustin Poirier to the tune of a first-round knockout back at UFC 199, Green was hoping to right the ship at 155 pounds and reclaim the divisional momentum he possessed not too long ago when he won four straight. As for Ortega, who is one of the quickest rising prospects in the ultra-competitive 145-pound class, this was his opportunity to capture his fourth Octagon win in a row and put on a performance that would land him close to title contention in 2017.
UFC Fight Night 96 miraculously retains its main event between heavy-handed knockout artists Lineker and Dodson, while promotional newcomer Will Brooks, exciting Brazilian striker Alex Oliveira, rising flyweight title threat Louis Smolka and veteran Nate Marquardt remain part of the festivities.
Stick with Mania as more UFC Fight Night 96 coverage and news becomes available.
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