Another fighter has been ruled out of what can now be labeled the “cursed” UFC 180 card in Mexico City.

According to a report by MMAJunkie, lightweight Joe Lauzon has been removed from his scheduled main card bout with Diego Sanchez. The reasoning behind the removal is still unclear and a replacement fighter has yet to be named.

This also marks the fourth fighter to be removed from the card with UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, Érik Pérez and Sanchez’s original opponent Norman Parke all pulling out due to injury.

Lauzon (24-9) was last seen earning Fight of the Night honors for his second round TKO victory over TUF 15 winner Michael Chiesa at UFC Fight Night 50 in September. Prior to this win the Massachusetts native earned a unanimous decision victory over TUF 6 winner Mac Danzig at UFC on FOX 9 last December.

Sanchez (25-7) is coming off a very controversial decision win over Ross Pearson at UFC Fight Night 42 in June. Prior to this win, “The Nightmare” dropped back-to-back decision losses to Gilbert Melendez and Myles Jury.

UFC 180 is currently scheduled to be held on November 15 at the Arena Ciudad de México. A heavyweight title fight between Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum was expected to serve as the main event. However following Velasquez’s injury, an interim heavyweight title bout between Werdum and Mark Hunt will as the night’s main event. The prelims for the card will feature the finale of  The Ultimate Fighter Latin America featherweight and bantamweight tournaments.

Here’s how the rest of the card is shaping up:

About The Author

News Manager

José began his career as a mixed martial arts journalist while still enrolled at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University. Since graduating in May 2013, he has attended dozens of high profile UFC fight cards as a credentialed member of the media, providing live cage side coverage through his articles and videos. His work has appeared on UFC.com, ArizonaSports.com and AZCentral. He is also currently one of the main contributors on Power MMA Show at Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, one of the first all MMA radio shows on a major radio station.

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