A last-minute issue has forced
the cancellation of a planned UFC on FUEL TV 10 matchup between Derek Brunson
(10-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) and Ronny Markes (14-1 MMA, 3-0 UFC).
MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) today confirmed with
sources close to the fighter that Markes was today ruled out of the matchup.
Additional sources said the the 25-year-old Brazilian was on Friday morning
involved in an automobile accident. While Markes is said to not have been
seriously injured, the incident will prevent the fighter from competing.
According to Tatame.com’s
Guilherme Cruz, Markes was a passenger in the vehicle and hurt his “neck, head
and ribs” when a car driven by manager and trainer Andre Pederneiras was
involved in the crash. Pederneiras also injured his knee in the incident.
UFC officials have yet to make
an official announcement. However, UFC President Dana White told MMAjunkie.com
that both fighters will be paid their guaranteed purse or “show” money.
UFC on FUEL TV 10 takes place
Saturday at Paulo Sarasate Arena in Fortaleza, Brazil. Brunson and Markes were
expected to meet on the evening’s Facebook-streamed preliminary card, which
precedes the night’s FUEL TV-broadcast main-card bouts.
Brunson recently made his UFC
debut and ended a two-fight skid with a unanimous-decision victory over Chris
Leben at UFC 155. The former Strikeforce fighter and three-time NCAA Division
II All-American wrestler opened his career with a 9-0 mark before losses to
Kendall Grove and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.
Markes, who had looked to
fights in his home country for the first time in more than two years, had hoped
to extend his current win streak to seven fights, which has included UFC wins
over Karlos Vemola, Aaron Simpson and Andrew Craig. All of the Nova Uniao
fighter’s UFC wins have come via decision, though nine of his 11 other
victories have come via stoppage.
With the late change to the
card, UFC on FUEL TV 10 now includes:
MAIN CARD (FUEL TV, 8 p.m. ET)
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs.
Fabricio Werdum
William Macario vs. Leonardo
Santos “TUF: Brazil 2” tournament final
Rafael Cavalcante vs. Thiago
Silva
Eddie Mendez vs. Daniel
Sarafian
Jason High vs. Erick Silva
Rony Jason vs. Mike Wilkinson
PRELIMINARY CARD (Facebook,
5:15 p.m. ET)
Raphael Assuncao vs. Vaughan
Lee
Felipe Arantes vs. Godofredo
Castro
Ildemar Alcantara vs. Leandro “Buscape”
Silva
Rodrigo Damm vs. Mizuto Hirota
Caio Magalhaes vs. Karlos
Vemola
Antonio Braga Neto vs. Anthony
Smith
(Source)
