UFC Update

I just heard about an update to the fight card for UFC 119! Here's the word:

Former UFC heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira has been forced to pull out of his upcoming UFC 119 rematch against fellow former champion Frank Mir with an undisclosed injury.

A source close to the Brazilian fighter told Fighters Only that "Big Nog" suffered an injury in training that will require surgery. Nogueira is apparently expected to be sitting out until 2011 at the earliest and is "incredibly frustrated" at having to pull out of the fight.

The UFC has already found a replacement for "Big Nog" and that fighter is Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic. Cro Cop, a Croatian kickboxer and former law enforcement officer in the elite police Special Forces tactical unit, is a legend in the sport. A former K-1 and Pride fighter, Cro Cop holds notable wins over Josh Barnett, Eddie Sanchez, and Wanderlei Silva. He is on a two-fight winning streak after defeating Anthony Perosh and Pat Barry. At the age of 35, though, Cro Cop doesn't have quite as much spring in his step. Still, Pride fans nationwide still reminisce about the Cro Cop of old; the Cro Cop who won Pride's Open-Weight Grand Prix tournament in 2006.

Frank Mir is known for his brutal submissions. He holds notable victories over Tim Sylvia (armbar), Antoni Hardonk (kimura), Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (TKO punches), Cheick Kongo (guillotine choke), and Brock Lesnar (knee bar).

Mir has all the tools to win this fight, particularly if it goes to the ground. Mir certainly has the ability to take it there. Mir's fight strategy will also determine where this fight will go. Cro Cop brings years of kickboxing and boxing experience to the table and is stronger on his feet, but Mir is practically unstoppable on the ground.