Injury moves Chris Weidman-Lyoto Machida title fight from UFC 173 to UFC 175

The UFC’s Memorial Day weekend pay-per-view was dealt a major blow on Monday with the loss of headlining champion Chris Weidman.

Weidman (11-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), the middleweight titleholder, is out of his main-event bout against former light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida (21-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) with an knee injury. The UFC announced the news on Monday night.

Weidman, the promotion said, will require minor surgery. Instead of headlining UFC 173, the fight will be moved to UFC 175. The UFC said a new headliner for UFC 173 will be announced in the coming days.

UFC 173 takes place May 24 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. UFC 175 is set for July 5, also in Las Vegas, but at Mandalay Bay Events Center. Both events have main cards on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

Weidman was originally supposed to fight Vitor Belfort (24-10 MMA, 13-6 UFC) in the UFC 173 main event. But when the Nevada State Athletic Commission banned testosterone-replacement therapy, Belfort was removed from the card so he could have ample time for his body to adjust to a career with it. Instead, Machida was inserted into the title fight, which will be just his third bout at middleweight.

But now he’ll have to wait about six weeks longer for the coveted title shot.

Machida, a former light heavyweight champ, debuted at middleweight this past October, when he knocked out Mark Munoz. In February, he took a decision from Gegard Mousasi in Brazil, giving him four wins in his past five fights.

Machida won the 205-pound title in 2009 when he knocked out Rashad Evans. He defended the belt just once against Mauricio Rua before losing it at UFC 113 in a rematch with “Shogun.” It was up and down for him at that point, as he dropped three of four starting with the Rua loss – including a title shot against Jon Jones at UFC 140. But since then, he has won four of five with just a controversial loss to Phil Davis separating him from a 5-0 run.

Weidman this past July knocked out longtime middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva to win the title. Then in December, he defended it when Silva broke his leg when Weidman checked a kick – one of the most gruesome injuries in MMA history.

“Machida is a dangerous fighter and he knows what it takes to become champion,” Weidman said in a statement after getting his new opponent. “He’s been on my radar since he dropped to 185, so I’m looking forward to defending my title against him in May.”

For the latest on UFC 173 and UFC 175, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.

(Pictured: Chris Weidman)

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