The injury bug had to strike eventually.
UFC 194 always seemed too good to be true.
Two title fights – including Conor McGregor’s featherweight unification bout with Jose Aldo – Yoel Romero versus Ronald Souza, Gunnar Nelson in action and talented featherweights Max Holloway, Jeremy Stephens and Urijah Faber all on the bill.
One of the most intriguing prelim fights would pitch former Invicta 105lb champion Michelle Waterson against Tecia Torres in the women’s strawweight division.
Unfortunately, that fight is no more. Waterson is out of the December 12 fight with an, as yet, undisclosed injury.
The good news is that Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger has been called up to fight Torres in her UFC debut. Jones-Lybarger was 6-1 in the RFA promotion having won her last four outings.
Waterson, who trains in the same gym as Holly Holm and Jon Jones, stepped up to 115lbs upon her entry to the UFC and won her debut bout.
Torres may only be ranked 12th in the strawweight standings but she has a number of impressive scalps, including Paige VanZant.
The Waterson mishap was the first fighter injury to alter the fight card. MMA fans will hope it is the last.