Middleweight’s Yoel Romero and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza were expected to square off at UFC 184, but Souza pulled out due to pneumonia. The bout was rescheduled for UFC on FOX 15 on April 18, however Romero has been forced out of action with a torn meniscus and ligament injury.
Luke Thomas of MMAFighting.com was first to announce the injury, and MMASucka.com followed up with sources close to Romero. The American Top Team fighter expected to push through the training injury, but MRI results on Friday determined him unfit.
Romero (9-1) has also looked great in the promotion, with wins last year over Derek Brunson and Brad Tavares. At UFC 178, he stopped top 10 middleweight Tim Kennedy.
Souza (21-3, 1 NC) has picked up four wins in the UFC. He made his debut against Chris Camozzi, and then went on to stop Yushin Okami. Last year, he went to a decision against Francis Carmont. Most recently in the main event of UFC Fight Night 50, he submitted Gegard Mousasi.
UFC on FOX 15 takes place from Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on April 18. In the main event, Lyoto Machida takes on Luke Rockhold.