Bloody Elbow, for MMA and UFC news

Manny Gamburyan has been forced out of his UFC 128 bout in Newark against Raphael Assuncao due to injury, according to MMA Junkie. A search is underway for a new opponent for Assuncao, but with Erik Koch in need of a new opponent after his bout was scratched from the UFC on Versus 3 card next week, it might make sense to match Koch up with Assuncao just two weeks later. UFC 128: Shogun vs. Jones coverage

Manny Gamburyan talks Mike Brown: "Most definitely [I have something to prove]. I can be ranked No. 8 in the world but those numbers don’t mean anything. A win puts me in line for a title shot. That’s my goal, to be featherweight champion. First I have to get past Mike Brown for a chance at the belt. Obviously, I have to step up my game because Mike Brown is a gamer. I have to bring my A-game because he’s the ex-champion. I’m prepared and I’m going to go out there and try to destroy him." -- Full interview at heavy.com WEC 48: Aldo vs. Faber coverage