Two-Cent Tuesday on UFC 278, ABC, light heavyweights, and more
Good day. Here are some random thoughts/nugz/news and notes on this lovely Tuesday in May …
I’m sorry, Virna. Never again. That is all.
I reported yesterday that Aleksandar Rakić did in fact tear the ACL in his right knee on Saturday night. He found out Monday before flying back home to Vienna, Austria. Amazingly, he has already recovered from two left knee ACL tears before his UFC career, so this is nothing new for Rakić.
He seemed to be in good spirits and motivated to realize his potential as champ some day. He told me that he actually injured the right knee three weeks before the fight but didn’t get it checked out, and then it just gave up on him in the middle of the bout. Massive bummer for all involved.
No surgery scheduled yet for Rakić, but he said he’ll need to go under the knife soon.
I’m very curious to see who will get the next 205-pound title shot. If Procházka wins next month, I can see it going to Jan Blachowicz. If Glover Teixeira retains, I can see them waiting to see if Anthony Smith or Magomed Ankalaev do something special in July. I can also see them doing Teixeira vs. Blachowicz 2, if need be. Very up in the air.
Jack Shore vs. Ricky Simon has been booked for July 16. This is not news. Solid fight, but ya know, July 23 is in London and one would think that Shore, who hails from Wales, would be a shoe-in for that card, right? I asked him why he was booked one week earlier and he said he didn’t know. He did ask for July 23 but that’s what he got. Bizarre.