UFC 92: Mark Burch out, Mike "The Juggernaut" Wessel in

by Nick Thomas on Dec 18, 2008 9:08 AM EST in MMA News

Heavyweight Mark Burch (10-2-0) has pulled out of UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008. The reason for the withdrawal has not yet been reported. The heavyweight was set to take on Antoni Hardonk (7-4) at the December 27th event.

(8-1) heavyweight prospect Mike "The Juggernaut" Wessel is signed to replace at UFC 92 on the 27th of December.

From the UG:

Wessel was an assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of Arkansas. He started getting the itch to compete again and decided to try kickboxing and then MMA. He did his first MMA fight on 3 days training and KO'd an opponent with 10 ammy fights. Mike is 8-1 as a pro and avenged his only loss.

Its short notice but he's ready and it should be a great fight

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War Hardonk!!!

by DeepStrike on Dec 18, 2008 11:18 AM EST reply actions

From a friend of his on the UG.

Their are extra requirments for a fighter over the age of 36 in Nevada. They have to do additional medicals and each fighter applying for a license must be approved at a meeting held by the athletic commission. Mark [Burch] and I were unaware of this, and the office personell at the UFC realized his age to late to get Mark on the athletic commission’s docket. He now has all his medicals in, and will likely be licensed to fight in Nevada in January. Unfortunately couldn’t get it done in time to preserve this fight.

by iiowyn on Dec 18, 2008 3:40 PM EST reply actions

Friend of Mark Burch rather.

by iiowyn on Dec 18, 2008 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

Wessel, in his official bio on the UFC site (which was uploaded rather quickly I might add) lists his favorite grappling technique as: the “North South ‘Monson’ Choke”…nice.

by Scott Haber on Dec 18, 2008 4:36 PM EST reply actions