James Irvin Pulls Out Of UFC 98 With Injury, Professor X To Replace

by Scott Haber on Apr 30, 2009 2:55 AM EDT

Originally scheduled to make his 185-lb debut against Drew McFedries at UFC 98 on May 23rd, in his first fight back after a nine-month suspension due to painkiller use, James "The Sandman" Irvin has bowed out of the bout with a knee injury. MMA Weekly reports:

Light heavyweight James Irvin will not make his UFC return as scheduled, MMAWeekly.com has learned.

In an appearance on MMAWeekly Radio Wednesday night, Irvin's manager, Mike Roberts of MMA Inc., said his client had suffered a torn meniscus in training and will not be able to face Drew McFedries at UFC 98.

The injury will keep Irvin out an additional five weeks, said Roberts.

Fortunately, the meniscus tear does not seem as serious as it might otherwise indicate, and Irvin might be back in action later this summer or early in the fall.

The report also mentions that no replacement opponent has been named for McFedries yet.

UPDATE: MMA Weekly now reports that muay-thai specialist Xavier Foupa-Pokam, better known as "Professor X", will step in for Irvin against Drew McFedries.

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

Tweet Comment 10 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Chael Sonnen

would be a good match up for McFedries, and he should definitely be motivated to get in there on short notice after being dominated in his UFC debut.

by nandez44 on Apr 30, 2009 3:04 AM EDT reply actions

Sonnen is already penciled in against Wilson Gouveia in August

And “Professor X” has apparently stepped in.

by Scott Haber on Apr 30, 2009 8:11 AM EDT up reply actions

excellent

I’m excited to see what “X” is all about.

insert gif here, thank you.

by nandez44 on Apr 30, 2009 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Was the injury in any way related...

to him trying to saw off a limb in order to make weight? Seriously, how’s he gonna make that kind of cut? He was already jacked at 205, I don’t see how he’ll do it other than losing almost pure muscle.

Supporting all Las Vegas MMA.

'09 is the year of the FW's.

by ElliotMatheny on Apr 30, 2009 3:24 AM EDT reply actions

MMAWeekly says that Foupa-Pokum is stepping in. Presumably this fight will now be bumped back to the prelims.

by rabrown on Apr 30, 2009 3:30 AM EDT reply actions

Gutted was really looking forward to seeing the sandman back

by RealIrish on Apr 30, 2009 3:46 AM EDT reply actions

James Irvin has no luck whatsoever.

Keep firing Assholes!
Akiyama is the Japanese word for Sexify.

by Ubernoober on Apr 30, 2009 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

Professor X immigration issues

He may not be able to fight either according to MMA Junkie.

by Gunslinger20 on Apr 30, 2009 12:38 PM EDT reply actions

What's this mean for my parlays?

I’ve got Irvin as part of a couple parlays with BetUs. Do my bets get canceled or what?

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich." --Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on Apr 30, 2009 8:54 PM EDT reply actions

Sucks for both McFedries and Irvin. I actually think that McFedries has a better against Irvin, since he can slug it out with the Sandman. Professor X will most likely take it to the ground, where McFedries has 0 ground game.

by Fedorable on Apr 30, 2009 11:04 PM EDT reply actions