Gian Villante Injured, Off UFC New York Fight Card | MMAWeekly.com

Gian Villante has been forced off of the UFC 205 fight card due to injury.

Villante had been scheduled to face Marcos Rogerio de Lima on Nov. 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York, but a knee injury has knocked him out of the bout. Sources confirmed the injury to MMAWeekly.com, following an initial report by Globo.com.

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It is believed that Villante’s knee will require surgery, but it is believed to be minor. He could potentially return by the end of the year.

Although the fight wasn’t one of the marquee bouts on the card, nearly every fighter on the UFC roster wants to compete when the promotion makes its New York debut. Villante is a native New Yorker, so it was especially disappointing for him to have to drop off the card.

New York became the final state in the U.S. to pass mixed martial arts regulation earlier this year, opening up a sizable market to fight promotions.

Although UFC 205 doesn’t yet have an announced headlining bout, it will feature UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley putting his belt on the line for the first time, when he faces Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson. Another pivotal bout has Tim Kennedy returning after a lengthy hiatus to welcome former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans to the middleweight division.

Check out MMAWeekly.com’s UFC 205: New York fight card page for the latest bouts.

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