Saturday’s UFC 177 fight card was rocked on Friday afternoon when news broke that former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao (10-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) was out of his main event rematch against current titleholder T.J. Dillashaw (32-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC).
In a stunning turn of events, Joe Soto (15-2 MMA 0-0 UFC), who was scheduled to meet Anthony Birchak on the FOX Sports 1 portion of the preliminary card, was announced as the replacement opponent for Barao in the main event.
The outbreak of reaction that poured in on social media as the entire situation was entertaining to follow. Check out the top Twitter reactions from Friday’s UFC 177 main event switch.
BREAKING NEWS: Renan Barao out of UFC 177, Joe Soto meets T.J. Dillashaw for title wp.me/p3WzJ0-wEy—
(@MMAjunkie) August 29, 2014
https://twitter.com/MikeBohnMMA/status/505478535977652224
I spoke to ppl close to Dillashaw. They aren't exactly jumping for joy that Barao is out. They know Soto and consider him a tough out.—
Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) August 29, 2014
Here is the rule from California State Athletic Commission website http://t.co/7cFhjvlgdL—
Jason Floyd (@Jason_Floyd) August 29, 2014
And the mma world implodes in 3..2..1…#dillashawvssoto—
russell doane (@RussellDoane135) August 29, 2014
I'm not sure I can cut to 135 in time.—
Coach (@CMPunk) August 29, 2014
@danawhite @lorenzofertitta well if you guys are just giving out free title shots to anyone I'll take one—
Ben Askren (@Benaskren) August 29, 2014
Wow! Joe Soto gets the title shot against TJ Dillashaw. Fought on August 7th!!!—
Aaron Bronsteter (@aarbron) August 29, 2014
Holy crap! My teammate and good friend @JoeSoto135 is fighting for the @ufc belt! I'm telling you, he is an absolute beast. Win/lose/draw it—
Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) August 29, 2014
“@JayRussellMMA: I know the UFC will do the right thing and pay @abirchakMMA his show/win money.” @danawhite PRETTY PRETTY PLEASE LOL!—
Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) August 29, 2014
Joe Soto just quit his job has a barista ! Wait. Wrong ppv.—
E. Casey Leydon (@ekc) August 29, 2014
We still have fights no matter who drops out. This is what we do. Time to knuckle up! #UFC177—
Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) August 29, 2014
Stay strong Barao….Estamos contigo @RenanBaraoUFC vc é nosso campeao… #forcabarao #respeito—
Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) August 29, 2014
"@SchlinskMMA: Just remember that @SpaniardMMA stepped up one 24 hours notice and beat Rick Story. Not the same, but anything can happen."—
Charlie Brenneman (@SpaniardMMA) August 29, 2014
Making weight isnt a 'week of' thing. It's a lifestyle. You're a GD professional. Act like it. #EveryoneWhoMissesWeight—
Charlie Brenneman (@SpaniardMMA) August 29, 2014
If anything we are seeing the real danger and health risks for a large or bad cut—
ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) August 29, 2014
Dammit! Was looking forward to see artist @TJDillashaw defend his belt against former champ @RenanBaraoUFC @UFC :-( :-( :-(—
Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) August 29, 2014
I'm on a good run, might as well drop down to 135lbs hahahaha! @TJDillashaw are u ready!—
Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) August 29, 2014
Holy Shit ???? can't believe that barao is out of the fight with T.J ?? was really looking forward to that fight ??—
Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) August 29, 2014
Man if I was in Sacramento I would fight anyone at any weight to help the show out and plus I would get to throw down lol win/win
@ufc—
Brad Pickett (@One_Punch) August 29, 2014
I do too!!! RT @CMPunk: I'm still watching the fights, because I love fighters that step up on short notice. Huzzah for opportunities!—
Dana White (@danawhite) August 29, 2014
Joe soto's sponsor just got a fucking bargain!!! Imagine how cheap they were and now they're getting main event title shot. Holy shit—
Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) August 29, 2014
Guys, let me remind you that you can't judge a card before it happens.
*ducks and runs the hell out of here*—
Chuck Mindenhall (@ChuckMindenhall) August 29, 2014
Did the UFC really not learn anything from UFC 151? This is the kind of thing that can happen when you put together one-fight PPV cards.—
Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) August 29, 2014
@mmasarah …there must be a way to blame Greg Jackson for this…??—
Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) August 29, 2014
Holy shit… This card is cursed—
Joe Rogan (@joerogan) August 29, 2014
Joe Soto: From the Prelims to the Main Event – shar.es/11psJD @UFC #UFC #UFC177 #MMA @JoeSoto135—
Thomas Gerbasi (@tgerbasi) August 29, 2014
Weigh-in crowd here at Sleep Train booing the news. #ufc177—
esther lin (@allelbows) August 29, 2014
Picture of @JoeSoto135 and @TJDillashaw at fighter check in this week. Little did they know! @ufc @arielhelwani http://t.co/d4TGz6Zar1—
Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) August 29, 2014
Cruz on Barao: "To be undefeated for 9 years and then lose a fight to the scale is beyond me, especially when you're fighting for a title."—
Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) August 29, 2014
The only thing worse that could happen now is if Soto weighs in at 136 and it turns into a non title bout.—
Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) August 29, 2014
WTF? MMA is the most unpredictable sport ever.—
Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) August 29, 2014
Rogan: "What's up Sacramento? Welcome to the haunted UFC card."—
Dave Doyle (@davedoylemma) August 29, 2014
If you would have told me last year that TJ Dillashaw vs. Joe Soto would headline a UFC pay per view, I would have laughed until I puked.—
Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) August 29, 2014
All I know is Joe Soto is living the dream right now. Make the most of the opportunities you are given.—
Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) August 29, 2014
Can't believe barao is out of @ufc event tomorrow. Was really looking forward to that fight !! Pissed!—
jimi manuwa (@POSTERBOYJM) August 29, 2014
I don't know where this card is going but let's get weird that's what I always say http://t.co/sWboncQTiE—
Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) August 29, 2014
Jon jones former college room mate "@MikeBohnMMA: But imagine if Joe Soto wins…"—
malki kawa (@malkikawa) August 29, 2014
Duane Ludwig to me just now: Barao loses his place in line for this.—
Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 29, 2014
Much respect and best regards to Barão
BUT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY TITLE SHOT @ufc 177 I was ready in shape, healthy & 6 fight win streak.—
Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) August 29, 2014
Thank you everyone for all the love and support!—
Joe Soto (@JoeSoto135) August 29, 2014
For more on UFC 177, stay stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.
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