Former Strikeforce lightweight contender Jorge ‘Gamebred’ Masvidal (23-7) has suffered a back injury, forcing him out of his upcoming fight with Pat ‘Bam Bam’ Healy 28-16) less than a month before the scheduled Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine show.

News of the injury was first reported by MMAjunkie.com on Saturday afternoon.

Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine, the final show for the promotion, is scheduled to take place on January 12, 2013 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The main card will air on Showtime while the prelim card will be shown on Showtime Extreme.

Strikeforce officials have removed the bout from the official fight card so it’s likely that no new opponent will be found for Healy and will probably fight inside the Octagon for his next bout.

Masvidal was named as a replacement opponent for Healy after Strikeforce champ Gilbert Melendez was forced out of a title match, twice against ‘Bam Bam,’ due to a shoulder injury.

‘Gamebred’ is 3-1 in his last four picking up a split decision win over Justin Wilcox this past July in Oregon. The loss was to Melendez in a title bout which saw the champ win by decision. The previous two wins were over KJ Noons and Billy Evangelista by decision. Masvidal will also likely take his next fight in the Octagon as well.

Healy has won five straight and is 8-1 over his last ten bouts picking up a decision over Mizuto Hirota last July at the same Rockhold vs. Kennedy show that Masvidal competed on. Healy’s other wins include victories against Caros Fodor, Maximo Blanco, Eric Wisely and Lyle Beerbohm.


Source: http://www.themmanews.com/jorge-masvida ... to-injury/