Yahoo Sports UFC Belfast Co-Main Event Falls Apart
A few days after UFC Fight Night 99 lost its original main event, it has now suffered a blow to the co-headlining bout as well.
The UFC Belfast headliner between Dong Hyun Kim and Gunnar Nelson was nixed when the Icelander suffered a severe ankle injury that forced him out of the bout. UFC officials moved swiftly, signing a new main event, which pits Gegard Mousasi in a rematch with Uriah Hall.
The event's co-main event between Ross Pearson and James Krause has now been blown apart, as Krause has had to withdraw from the fight.
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Krause revealed the news Wednesday via Instagram, saying, “It's with great disappointment and frustration that I make this post announcing that I'm forced to withdraw from my #UFCBelfast bout with Ross Pearson… again. Monday morning during wrestling practice, I tore my hamstring for what the doctor says is a ‘high grade,' substantial tear in 3 different spots to my hamstring.”
Krause and Pearson were originally slated to fight at The Ultimate Fighter 23 Finale in July of this year, but Krause had to pull out of that bout as well due to an undisclosed injury.
“This is 2 camps in a row, and against Ross, that I've had to withdraw from, so my greatest apologies to him,” Krause continued. “This is not my norm and I pride myself on fighting any opposition that's been offered to me. That being said, during these training camps, I've made a lot of progress and am very excited to show my improvements (against whomever) and whenever that time comes.”
UFC officials have not yet responded to inquiries about the direction the promotion would take with Krause out of the fight, although MMAFighting.com reported that the UFC is pursuing Stevie Ray as a potential replacement for Krause.
UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Hall 2 takes place on Nov. 19 at SSE Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
