Demetrious Johnson Injury Nixes Title Fight, Urijah Faber vs. Scott Jorgensen New TUF 17 Headliner

UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson is the latest to be bit by the infamous UFC injury bug. The bug has slowed down a bit compared to last year, but hasn’t quite gone away.

UFC officials announced on Tuesday night that Johnson’s title fight with John Moraga is off, nixing it as the TUF 17 Finale headliner. UFC president Dana White later announced that a bantamweight battle between Urijah Faber and Scott Jorgensen would be slotted in as the new main event.

Officials did not disclose the nature of Johnson’s injury. MMAWeekly.com sources close to the fighter, while not revealing the injury, said that initial indications were that Johnson could be sidelined anywhere from six to nine months, although further diagnosis was necessary to determine the full scope of the injury and possible recovery time.

The new headlining match-up between Faber and Jorgensen is an interesting one. The two have been widely considered among the top of their class for several years, plus they are longtime friends that have trained together over the years.

“2 buds punching eachother!” Faber tweeted after the fight was announced.

Faber and Jorgensen were both standout wrestlers in college, and when Faber made the jump to mixed martial arts for a profession, he talked Jorgensen into doing the same, a point that wasn’t lost on Jorgensen when they were paired up last night.

“Me n @UrijahFaber gonna putting on damn show at @ufc tuf finale live,” tweeted Jorgensen. “Crazy I wouldn’t be fighting if he hasn’t talked me into in college!”

Faber (27-6) is fresh off of a first-round submission victory over Ivan Menjivar at this past weekend’s UFC 157: Rousey vs. Carmouche, remaining at the very top end of the division, trying to line up another shot at UFC gold.

Jorgensen is 8-3 in his last 11 bouts, losing a WEC title bid against current UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz, bouncing back with a couple strong victories before losing back-to-back bouts to current interim champion Renan Barão and fellow contender Eddie Wineland.

Jorgensen (14-6) enters the fight with Faber having gotten back on the winning track with a victory over John Albert at the UFC on Fox 5 show in December.

Faber vs. Jorgensen headlines the TUF 17 Finale scheduled for April 13 in Las Vegas. UFC officials had been targeting the Mandalay Bay Event Center, although a venue has yet to be finalized.

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