Jimi Manuwa Out Of UFC London, Mousasi-Leites Confirmed
UFC Fight Night 83 is set to go down on February 27, 2016 from the O2 Arena in London, England presented live on UFC Fight Pass.
The main event will feature an intriguing middleweight matchup between former long-time champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva and divisional mainstay Michael “The Count” Bisping.
Bisping was originally set to headline the event in a bout with former DREAM and Strikeforce champion Gegard Mousasi, but Mousasi was scrapped from the bout when the opportunity to book Silva and Bisping emerged.
“The Dreamcacther” quickly expressed his interest to remain on the card, however, hinting at a possible scrap with Brazilian slugger Thales Leites.
This fight has now been confirmed by the UFC:
It’s official! @mousasi_mma vs. @thalesleites is the new #UFCLondon co-main event! pic.twitter.com/thctgPk4X0
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 31, 2015
More news surrounding the event has also been released today (December 31, 2015), regarding a scheduled light heavyweight tilt between hometown Brit Jimi “Poster Boy” Manuwa and Nikita Krylov.
Apparently Manuwa has suffered an injury, forcing him out of the bout, and leading the UFC to scrap the fight from the card entirely:
Jimi Manuwa is injured and out of #UFCLondon. The bout with Nikita Krylov is cancelled. pic.twitter.com/KqqLis231a
— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 31, 2015
“Poster Boy”, known as one of the division’s best strikers, is only 1-2 in his last three, dropping losses to 205-pound contenders Alexander Gustafsson and Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.
The Ukrainian Krylov has won his last three Octagon appearances with three consecutive finishes.
Perhaps the UFC will look to reschedule this bout for a later date.
