Knee injury forces James Irvin out of UFC 102

[rajuB4U]

Knee injury forces James Irvin out of UFC 102 middleweight bout with Wilson Gouveia

John Morgan,


Former light heavyweight James Irvin (14-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) will have his middleweight debut pushed back once again, as a knee injury suffered in training has forced "The Sandman" out of UFC 102.

Sacramento, Calif., radio personality Carmichael Dave of "The Carmichael Dave" show was the first to report the injury, has since confirmed Irvin's withdrawal from the card with sources close to the event.

Irvin had been scheduled to face Wilson Gouveia on the preliminary card of the Aug. 29 "UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira" in Portland, Ore.

It is currently unknown who will replace Irvin on the card.

The injury is the latest in a line of recent setbacks for Irvin. In April, the heavy handed striker was forced from the main card of UFC 98 with a torn meniscus in his right knee.

The injury followed a July 2008 suspension for Irvin, who tested positive for methadone and oxymorphone following a knockout loss to Anderson Silva in a bout contested at 205 pounds.

Dave's report states Irvin is "expected to undergo reconstructive surgery sometime in the next few days and is also expected to miss six to 10 months.

[DimeCFH]

Dang. What a bummer. That guy always has fun fights to watch. Thanks Raju.