UFC

Middleweight Matchup Scrambles as Malkoun Injured, Vieira Seeks New Dance Partner

Garrett Kerman Sports Editor

Published30 Dec 2024

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Just weeks away from fight night, the UFC middleweight division has seen a shakeup. Rising prospect Jacob Malkoun has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout against grappling phenom Rodolfo Vieira due to injury.

🚨| Jacob Malkoun is OUT of his #UFCVegas102 bout with Rodolfo Vieira on February 15th due to injury. pic.twitter.com/cLmcc52SGc

— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) December 28, 2024

Malkoun’s Frustration and Resilience

This is a frustrating setback for Malkoun, who was looking to build on his momentum after an impressive win over Gerald Meerschaert at UFC 288. Malkoun took to social media to express his disappointment, assuring fans that he’ll be back in action soon. But for Vieira, the clock is ticking to find a new opponent for the January card.

In his heartfelt message, Malkoun revealed the toll that injuries have taken on his career aspirations. “I’m so frustrated that the injuries won’t let me show the world that I’m one of the best middleweights in the world,” he wrote, hinting at a potentially chronic issue that has been hampering his progress.

Despite the setback, Malkoun’s statement exuded determination and faith. He vowed to do everything in his power to return to the octagon, showcasing the mental toughness that has become his trademark. “Maybe my path to greatness is supposed to be harder than most people, maybe it will make my will even stronger,” Malkoun mused, demonstrating the resilience that has endeared him to fans.

UFC Fight Night 251 Fight Card

With Malkoun’s withdrawal, the UFC is left with a decision to make regarding Rodolfo Vieira’s participation in the event. Vieira, sporting a 10-2 MMA record with 5-2 in the UFC, was looking to continue his own journey up the middleweight rankings.

As of now, it remains unclear whether the UFC will seek a replacement opponent for Vieira or if the Brazilian grappler will be removed from the card entirely. The promotion has a history of working diligently to keep fighters on events, often finding last-minute replacements to ensure athletes get the opportunity to compete and earn.

The loss of the Malkoun-Vieira bout is a significant hit to UFC Fight Night 251, which was shaping up to be an intriguing fight for hardcore fans. The matchup promised an interesting stylistic clash between Malkoun’s wrestling-heavy approach and Vieira’s world-class jiu-jitsu.

As fight fans await further updates, the focus now shifts to the remaining bouts on the UFC Fight Night 251 card. The event, while losing a potentially exciting middleweight contest, still boasts several compelling matchups that should deliver action-packed performances for those tuning in.

Here are the confirmed bouts for this fight night event: