UFC 176 Fight Card Cancelled; Ronda Rousey Next Fight Won’t Happen

After UFC president, Dana White, fumed over the possibility of Ronda Rousey fighting twice in less than a month, news surfaced that the women's champion will actually have her long-deserved rest.

In a report by ESPN, Ronda Rousey was supposed to fill in at UFC 176, which is just two weeks shy of UFC 175. Rousey beat Alexis Davis in only 16 seconds via TKO on July 5. She remained undefeated with a record of 10-0. After the match, Joe Rogan asked if she would be willing to fight again at UFC 176. Rousey replied that she would if the UFC wants her to although she preferred to have surgery on her right knee and hand. The latest news presented that the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) suspended Rousey for medical reasons after UFC 175. She will be having arthroscopic surgery on her knee and have a cyst removed from her hand.

According to MMA Weekly, the UFC also cancelled the fight between Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes for the featherweight title. UFC 176 will be held on August 2, 2014 in Los Angeles. However, Aldo withdrew from the card due to a non-severe neck injury. Dana White immediately stated that Aldo will be out of the event but fans should expect him to be back soon in a rescheduled match against the same opponent. Aldo has an MMA record of 24-1 while Mendes has a 16-1 record. Aldo previously defeated Mendes in January 2012 in the first round via TKO. It was the only loss suffered by Mendes.

The UFC confirmed the canceled fight card, "The featherweight championship between Aldo and Mendes is expected to take place later this year and all other fights slated on UFC 176 are being rescheduled for upcoming cards." UFC 177 on August 30 will, however, still be called UFC 177. According to the UFC, the August 30 event will feature Dillashaw versus Barao in the main event. The match will take place at the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.

It is the second time in UFC history that an event was postponed. The first time was UFC 151 in September 2012. The event in Las Vegas had to be called off after Dan Henderson suffered an injury a few days before the main event with Jon Jones as his opponent. Chael Sonnen was supposed to replace Henderson, but Jones declined.