Gleison Tibau has injured his should in training, forcing him out of his next schedule lightweight bout against Hermes Franca (18-7) at UFC 90 “Silva vs. Cote” at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., on October 25, according to Sherdog.com.
Marcus Aurelio (16-6) has been tapped as the replacement to take on Franca in the “Windy City” on fight night.
Here’s a snip from Frana on the opponent switch:
“It doesn’t matter who I fight; it’s a big challenge. It is what it is. We’re both professionals. I think it’s better for me. I know his game really well. I’ve never trained with Gleison before.”
Aurelio of course trains in at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Fla., which is very close to Franca’s facility — The Armory — just north in Jupiter. Both Brazilians are veterans of the sport, having started their professional mixed martial arts careers around the same time in 2001.
Franca dropped a unanimous decision to Frank Edgar at UFC Fight Night 14: “Silva vs. Irvin” back in July. It was his first fight back after serving a 12-month suspension for steroid use.
He is a former number one title contender who reeled of eight straight wins before losing to then UFC Lightweight Champion, Sean Sherk, at UFC 73: “Stacked” in July 2007.
Aurelio will look to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Tyson Griffin at UFC 86: “Jackson vs. Griffin” back in July. The defeat snapped a two-win fight streak inside the Octagon after recovering from a three-fight losing skid.
“Maximus” — a submission master — has uncharacteristically dropped four of his last six fights (all to top-level competition. Regardless, a win against Franca is important. And it’s not going to be a walk in the park by any stretch.
UFC 90 features several solid match ups, including the 185-pound tilt between UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva and Patrick Cote, as well as the huge welterweight showdown between Thiago Alves and Diego Sanchez.
To check out the latest UFC 90 card and fight rumors click here.
14 Comments »
OK guys, so if it happens, who you got?
Randy or Brock?
I got Randy
By the way, welcome back mania, the weekend with only Jesse was…interesting to say the least! he’s very interactive and choosy about the comments he lets through. I’ve never read so many complaints or complained so much, but it was fun. Good call on the UFC “never” bringing Randy back. I can’t believe they are. It’s all money, and Dana is hoping A.Brock kills him and B. Brock can smother Fedor…neither will happen. Randy must have a deal with the devil to be able to sign so many big contracts, complain and get resigned with the same company!
I like BROCK!
TOld you guys this fight would happen. Extreme Couture has brought in somje really super big heavyweights to help Randy prepare for Brock!
I cant imagine this fight not shattering ppv records
btw, I hear that an official announcement from the UFC could come as early as tomorrow. My guess is that Dana will make an announcement about a big announcement for UFC 88 and we will hear about it then.
AS for this match up, its a good one! I was looking forward to seeing Gleison fight because I feel that he is coming ionot his own as a fighter and will turn into a very solid lightweight, but I wont compalin about this match up.
I think Franca is too good to be submitted by the jits wizard and his clubbing punches should make the difference. I like Franca in this one.
I think franka will take it, because he is much better on the feet then marcus. If it were a grappling matchup i would surely take aulerio
could not of said it better myself.
lol you could if you spelled their names right
I did not even notice but I understood what he was saying.
i didnt know this site was about spelling…
how many fights does marcus aurelio have to loose before they bounce his ass? obviously they keep dropping his competition level to find out what tier fighter he is. hopefully he is at least a hermes franca level fighter.
by the way who did you get in a fight with and where Zack, and I know you are worried for Arlovski and to tell u the truth I would not have it any other way look what happened the last two times u where worried for him. He destroyed both of his last two opponents. Barnett is not submitting him just like Arlovski is not submitting Barnet. what it is going to come down to is can arlovski defend the take down and if not how fast he can get it back to the feet, or if Barnet has a strong enough chin and seeing as AA has the power to legitimately drop Cabbage and his head filled with concrete and stuff. He can do the same to anyone. including Fedor, dosn’t mean he will do that to Fedor. lol, but I have Faith in my boy and when it comes down to it I know you do to, and come on when do u ever here me say anything negative about Fedor. I am almost positive that Barnet is going down I have done my research and this is not going to be any sub victory for either guy if this does not go all 3 rounds it is going to end in a KO hopefully by Arlovski
man this i like both of these guys but its going to be a boring fight and Aurelio will get the nod. Neither will submit each other and Marcus can take a lot of heavy shots.
freakin wanderlei fan.
Franca looks like a gay TV host from the tropics…