MMA ODDS AND ENDS FOR FRIDAY – NURMAGOMEDOV INJURED AGAIN

In perhaps the least surprising news of the year, top UFC lightweight Khabib Nurmagomedov is hurt again. Based on reports, Nurmagomedov was forced to pull out of his upcoming Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale co-headlining bout against Tony Ferguson because of a rib injury. As of today, nothing is set in stone, although there are preliminary discussions of Edson Barboza stepping in to replace him. This makes it the third straight fight Nurmagomedov has not managed to determine to completion. It started with a planned UFC 178 battle against Donald Cerrone which”The Eagle” was forced out of following a knee injury. When the bout was rescheduled for UFC 187, he reaggravated the exact same knee and he’s from his December fight. Nurmagomedov hasn’t fought at April of 2014 since a unanimous decision victory over Lightweight Champion Rafael Dos Anjos. Based on the length of time it takes for him to recover from this rib setback, he is on a two-year break before he sees the Octagon . Ross Pearson vs. Francisco Trinaldo — UFC Fight Night 81 While one UFC bout was cancelled, another was declared as recent winners Ross Pearson and Francisco Trinaldo are slated to throw down in Boston this upcoming January. Pearson was successful in his last bout over Paul Felder via unanimous decision despite being a hefty underdog. Trinaldo did exactly the exact same thing, winning as a dog that is massive this August via round TKO Chad Laprise. Trinaldo definitely has more momentum, although this is a pretty evenly matched fight. The Brazilian has won four straight bouts and is coming off the best victory of his profession while Pearson has been not able to string any wins together in his last eight fights. While Pearson has more name recognition, it would not shock me to view Trinaldo open as the little betting popular this time around because of his current series of success.

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