Emerson Out, Clementi In for UFC 84

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 22, 2008 7:19 PM EDT in MMA News

It's been a day of fighters taking fights that are very quick turnarounds, but Rich Clementi is putting James Irvin's proposed 2 month turnaround to shame:

The Ultimate Fighting Championship announced on Tuesday that Rob Emerson has had to withdraw from his bout with Terry Etim scheduled for UFC 84 in Las Vegas. Clementi steps in to take his place.

Clementi battled Stout for the duration of their three-round fight, emerging on the winning end with the judges awarding a split decision in his favor. The win was Clementi's fifth straight and his eighth bout in the past year and a half.

Etim will be fighting for the first time in his professional career outside of England. He has managed a 10-1 record on his home turf, his only loss coming by way of decision to Gleison Tibau when the UFC was last at the O2 Arena in London this past September.

It's a ballsy move for Rich but knowing how much Dana White and the UFC brass like guys who are willing to take a risk it's a move with a lot of upside. It should be an interesting battle of two guys with 23 submission wins between them.

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Comments

Re: Emerson Out, Clementi In for UFC 84

He is coming off a few wins in a row now, if he keeps winning I think he is a dark horse in the division.

by Michael Rome on Apr 22, 2008 7:33 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Emerson Out, Clementi In for UFC 84

Clementi = best gatekeeper evah!

by ilostmydog on Apr 22, 2008 8:14 PM EDT reply actions

Re: Emerson Out, Clementi In for UFC 84

I once considered Clementi among a short list of fighters who simply could not win in the UFC, and since his return to the UFC against Anthony Johnson, he has proved me to be an idiot time after time. As a result, I have totally turned the corner on Clementi, to the point where I really look forward to his matches at this point.

by Brett Jones on Apr 22, 2008 11:07 PM EDT reply actions