- UFC 155
Weidman out of UFC 155, replaced by Philippou
UFC 155 has been hit by a significant injury after Chris Weidman was forced out of his middleweight battle with Tim Boetsch.
The development was reported by NewsDay on Twitter, and later retweeted by the official UFC account.
As a result of Weidman's withdrawal, which is caused by a shoulder injury that could keep him sidelined for six months, Costa Philippou will step in. Philippou had been set to fight Nick Ring at UFC 154 before Ring pulled out due to illness.
The news is a big blow for the middleweight title aspirations of Weidman, who had hoped to use Boetsch as a potential stepping stone to a shot at Anderson Silva.
Philippou is on a four-fight win streak and can now boost his own title credentials, ahead of Michael Bisping's January showdown with Vitor Belfort.
UFC 155 takes place on December 29 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.