About an hour after
UFC 122 started on Saturday in Oberhausen, Germany, fans got some bad news:
Alessio Sakara is out of his co-main event fight against
Jorge Rivera because of an illness.
MMAjunkie.com
first reported and the
UFC confirmed that the bout has been scrapped, and Duane Ludwig vs. Nick Osipczak has been moved up from the non-televised undercard to the main card. Sakara has what the UFC is describing as "flu like symptoms."
For a fighter to pull out of a fight after the event has already started is extremely rare, although it's not unprecedented: At UFC 24, the main event was scrapped after the show had already started because Kevin Randleman, who was slated to defend his heavyweight title against Pedro Rizzo, stumbled on a pipe and fell, suffering a concussion.
Both Rivera and Sakara have had a rough few months. Sakara was supposed to fight at UFC 116 but pulled out because of the death of his father, then was slated to fight Rivera at UFC 118 before Rivera had to pull out because of a broken arm. There's no word yet on how serious Sakara's illness is, and how soon the UFC can get them in the Octagon.
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UFC 122 Fight Night Photos
Yushin Okami lands a right hand on Nate Marquardt at UFC 122 on Nov. 13, 2010 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
Ramsey Cardy for FanHouse
Ramsey Cardy for FanHouse
UFC 122 Photos
Yushin Okami has vaseline applied on his face at UFC 122 on Nov. 13, 2010 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
UFC 122 Photos
Nate Marquardt makes his entrance at UFC 122 on Nov. 13, 2010 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
UFC 122 Photos
The Japanese fans are in attendance at UFC 122 on Nov. 13, 2010 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
UFC 122 Photos
Nate Marquardt (left) feels out Yushin Okami at UFC 122 on Nov. 13, 2010 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
UFC 122 Photos
Yushin Okami throws a punch at Nate Marquardt at UFC 122 on Nov. 13, 2010 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
UFC 122 Photos
Yushin Okami escapes a leglock attempt from Nate Marquardt at UFC 122 on Nov. 13, 2010 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
UFC 122 Photos
Nate Marquardt takes down Yushin Okami at UFC 122 on Nov. 13, 2010 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
UFC 122 Photos
Nate Marquardt throws a punch at Yushin Okami at UFC 122 on Nov. 13, 2010 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
UFC 122 Photos
Nate Marquardt throws a punch at Yushin Okami at UFC 122 on Nov. 13, 2010 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
UFC 122 Photos
Yushin Okami lands a right hand on Nate Marquardt at UFC 122 on Nov. 13, 2010 at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
UFC 122 Photos
