Heavyweight Ben Rothwell has pulled out of his UFC on FOX 4 against Travis Browne due to an injured ankle, MMAFighting.com has learned from sources close to the fight. The fight was supposed to take place on the FOX portion of the card.
According to other sources, the UFC has offered former Strikeforce fighter Devin Cole the opportunity to fight Browne on FOX, however, MMAFighting.com has been unable to confirm whether Browne vs. Cole will happen next week with anyone close to Cole's camp.
UPDATE: According to the UFC on FOX Twitter account, Browne has been removed from the card and Mike Swick vs. DaMarques Johnson has been bumped up to the main card. In the end, while names like Cole and Matt Mitrione were discussed, the UFC could not find an opponent for Browne.
Rothwell (32-8) last competed at UFC 145 when he knocked out Brendan Schaub. Browne (13-0-1) was also victorious at UFC 145, submitting Chad Griggs in the first round.
Cole (20-9-1) last fought for Strikeforce in December. He would be entering this fight riding a two-fight winning streak.
UFC on FOX 4, headlined by Shogun Rua vs. Brandon Vera, airs live on Aug. 4 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.