A scheduled first-round matchup between Ricardo Arona and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson may be in jeopardy after Arona allegedly sprained an ankle in recent days, Jackson's trainer, Colin Oyama, told MaxFighting.
Arona, who arrived in Japan yesterday, is set to undergo tests today in a Tokyo-area hospital. Results, which should verify whether or not he will have to sit out Sunday's PRIDE Grand Prix tournament, could be known by the end of the day. When asked for confirmation on Arona's injury, DreamStage Entertainment representatives in Los Angeles said they were not in a position to comment at this time.
Oyama mentioned deposed UFC middleweight champion Murilo Bustamante as a possible replacement. Bustamante is in Japan to corner and coach Arona and teammate Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, who faces Oyama-trained Ricco Rodriguez in his bout.
Switching opponents, while not desired at this juncture, is not problematic for his fighter, says Oyama. A potential Jackson-Bustamante is interesting because it brings together two of the most dynamic fighters in the sport. Bustamante, for all his skill on the mat and feet, would step into the ring handicapped by a significant weight and strength disadvantage. More to come....
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