An injury has forced Kyle Noke (20-7-1 MMA, 3-3 UFC) out of a planned UFC Fight Night 52 bout with welterweight Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-5 MMA, 1-4 UFC).
Noke recently announced on Twitter that a knee injury forced the withdrawal:
Unfortunately I've had to withdraw from my fight with Akiyama in Japan due to a knee injury. Thank you everyone for the continued support—
Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) August 07, 2014
According to “UFC Tonight,” Amir Sadollah (6-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC), who’s slated to fight Nico Musoke (12-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 53 on Oct. 4, could serve as a replacement. However, a formal announcement hasn’t been made.
UFC Fight Night 52 takes place Sept. 20 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The event streams on UFC Fight Pass.
Akiyama, who fights for the first time in two-and-a-half years, looks to end a four-fight losing streak at the event. After a narrow UFC-debut win over Alan Belcher, the Japanese vet has suffered consecutive losses to Chris Leben, Michael Bisping, Vitor Belfort and Jake Shields before his recent injury woes.
Sadollah, meanwhile, fights for the first time in more than two years due to injuries of his own. Most recently, the 33-year-old winner of “The Ultimate Fighter 7″ suffered a decision defeat to Dan Hardy at UFC on FUEL TV 5, which spoiled a 3-1 run.
For more on UFC Fight Night 52 and UFC Fight Night 53, stay tuned to the UFC Rumors section of the site.
(Pictured: Kyle Noke)
Filed under: MMA Rumors, News, UFC
