Luke Rockhold's rematch against Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza has been cancelled after the former middleweight champion was forced to pull out with a knee injury.
Former middleweight champion Rockhold was set to face the Brazilian at UFC Fight Night 101 on November 26 in Melbourne.
Rather than finding a replacement for Souza, UFC matchmaker Joe Silva has opted to move Australian Robert Whittaker and Derek Brunson's fight to the main event.
"Right now there is nothing I want more than to get back into the cage and do what I love most," Rockhold wrote on Instagram last night.
"Unfortunately, due to an injury to my left knee I had to withdraw from the fight. I apologize to the @UFC @JacareMMA and most importantly to the fans. I will be back better than ever in pursuit of the belt."
A photo posted by Luke Rockhold (@lukerockhold) on
Whittaker is ranked seventh in the middleweight rankings, with England's Michael Bisping champion of the division.
He takes on the division's number eight ranked fighter in American Derek Brunson and speaking after the news of the main event bout Whittaker told the Daily Telegraph: "This is a massive honour ... and it won’t be the last time I main event a UFC event, either."
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