MMA fans flocked to Las Vegas, Nev. Saturday night for UFC 216. The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s highly anticipated event featured a trove of amazing fights. That being said, the mixed martial arts event experienced a last minute change to one of its pay-per-view main card events.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum was set to take on Derrick Lewis on the night’s main card. However, Derrick Lewis pulled out of the fight with only hours to spare. Lewis would later reveal that he was experiencing a back injury, forcing him to pull out of the fight.
As a result, the UFC was hard pressed to find a last minute replacement for the heavyweight fighter. In the end, the UFC turned to another heavyweight that was already set to compete on the night’s card.
Walt Harris was originally placed to fight Mark Godbeer on the night’s preliminary card. However, in their hour of need, Harris would go on to fill in the gap left by Derrick Lewis and take on the former heavyweight champion.
Now fighters and fans have taken to Twitter to offer their thoughts on Derrick Lewis’ decision to pull out of the main card match up on just hours notice.
Check out what fighters had to say in the Twitter posts below:
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) October 7, 2017
What?!??!!!! https://t.co/kjtaO9NNxN
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) October 7, 2017
What?! https://t.co/MYcL7F94Ir
— David Michaud (@bulldawgUFC) October 7, 2017
WHAT WERE YOU DOING DERRICK LEWIS? WHY DOESN'T THE UFC PUTS BUBBLE WRAPS ON THEIR FIGHTERS 24/7 ON FIGHT WEEK???
— Matheus Aquino (@MatheusDCAquino) October 7, 2017
Noooooooooooooo https://t.co/5ciFRbFw89
— Belal muhammad (@bullyb170) October 7, 2017
Damn. https://t.co/NW3qAbTofh
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) October 7, 2017
I hope we get to see tony vs werdum now..
— Belal muhammad (@bullyb170) October 7, 2017
Fuck it. Let Walt Harris fight Werdum!
— Chase Sherman (@ChaseShermanUFC) October 7, 2017
Gutted Werdum vs Lewis canceled. No Black Beast tonight.
— Linton Vassell (@LDV_TheSwarm) October 7, 2017