For the first time in UFC history, the world's premier mixed martial arts promotion has been forced to cancel an event.
Due to an injury to challenger Dan Henderson, the UFC has nixed next weekend's UFC 151 Fight Card, which was scheduled for the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, after a replacement fight could not be made.
"This is probably one of my all-time lows," UFC President Dana White said on a Thursday media conference call. "For the first time in 11 years, we're going to cancel an event."
Henderson suffered a partial tear in his medial collateral ligament, and while "Hendo" attempted to soldier on and continue training, he was unable to fight on September 1.
"He tried to train," White said, "tried to continue to work out, saw doctors, and there was nothing to do to save that fight."
In an attempt to salvage the event, White and the UFC searched for a replacement challenger, and only converted middleweight Chael Sonnen - who has taken aim at the champion with his famously active mouth in the last week - was willing to take the fight. Jones, however, turned down the chance to fight Sonnen on eight days' notice, citing advice from his coach, Greg Jackson.
White has said that the UFC will move the other fights scheduled for next weekend's card - including Jake Ellenberger vs. Jay Hieron, Dennis Siver vs. Eddie Yagin and Dennis Hallman vs. Thiago Tavares - to other upcoming fight cards.
