The rematch between UFC Heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez as the main event of UFC 196 was always questioned. It turns out those questions no longer need to be asked as on Sunday, Velasquez withdrew from the event through injury. Replacing him, and your new Heavyweight contender is Stipe Miocic.
In June of last year, the champion Werdum and Velasquez met at UFC 188 in Mexico City, Mexico. The city, notorious for its high altitude played havoc to the challenger’s cardio, leaving him breathing hard for the first time in his UFC career. The champion, who had been living in Mexico for some several weeks before the fight, took advantage and submitted Velasquez with a guillotine choke in the third.
After the fight, fans and pundits alike pondered on the effects of the altitude. Cain’s regarded as having the best cardio in the heavyweight division, maybe even in the sport. To see him gasping for breath, with his mouth hanging open between rounds was a sight we were never meant to see. People speculated on a rematch on lower ground, with the cardio as it was ‘supposed’ to be.
Speculation, perhaps, was as far as it went. When the rematch was announced for UFC 196, the response was largely underwhelming. Instant rematches have become somewhat of a trend in MMA of late, and with Velasquez being injury-prone, speculation remains over his ability to fight more than once a year.
Then on Sunday 24, 
Dana White made all the questions of altitude irrelevant when he announced on Twitter that Velasquez had suffered a back injury, and would be unable to fight for the belt.
Velasquez posted the following statement to his Facebook:
“I’m sure you’ve heard the news that I won’t be able to fight at UFC 196. I can’t begin to tell you how disappointed I am and how I feel I’m letting you all down. I’ve heard and read all of your messages of support since my last fight and during this camp and for that I thank you.
Training camp has been difficult for the last few weeks, but sometimes no matter how much the heart and mind want to fight through an injury, healing has its own timeline. We thought we’d get through it, but we had to face the truth that it wasn’t going to be OK in time to fight. All of us fighters have all fought injured at one time or another, but I can’t ignore this injury, as my doctor has indicated that not addressing the problems with my sciatic nerve could have longer-term consequences.
My fans deserve to see me compete as close to 100% as possible. I’m committed to giving them that. I’m not going to let my fans down, and I want to make sure I do the right things to ensure a long career.
Fabricio, I hope that you accept my sincere apology. I understand how you may think this is an excuse. From one professional to another, I can tell you I was committed and looking forward to competing with you again. I greatly respect you as a fighter and man, and we will meet soon.
I will get this taken care of as soon as possible. I will heal and will come back and show you the Cain Velasquez you all deserve to see.
Sincerely, Cain”
Fighting in his stead, will be #2 ranked heavyweight Stipe Miocic.
It comes as an unexpected reward for the Croatian-born 33 year old, who has been on the peripherals of a title shot for some time now. With a pasting of fan favourite Mark Hunt last year in March bringing him into the conversation, Miocic was most recently seen on January 2nd, when he left Andrei Arlovski unconscious in under a minute. That quick 
victory clearly left him feeling fit enough to compete on short notice.
Indeed, he tweeted “haven’t stopped training,” moments after the new bout was announced, and with UFC 196 taking place on February 6th, he’ll be hoping to be in phenomenal shape fighting so soon after his last camp.
As of yet, Werdum hasn’t responded to the late change of opponent. Regardless mark it in your diaries, the official new main event of UFC 196 is champion Fabricio Werdum vs. heavyweight contender Stipe Miocic.
