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As the furor over the demise of a PPV goes on, the fighters on the card are left to pick up the pieces, figure out when their next fight is and how to stay healthy and primed for that rescheduled match. For some, the process is difficult as the postponing could mean a different opponent and a different divisional outlook.
Ariel Helwani over at MMA Fighting reached out to Jake Ellenberger and Jay Hieron soon after the news hit:
"I'm numb, man," Hieron said. "I've been through so much stuff in my career. I just want to unwind, take a couple of days off and get back in the gym. My body is peaking right now and I'm just ready to fight."
Needless to say, Hieron has had horrible luck over the past few years, but he could only laugh when asked if he was cursed."I hope not," he said with a chuckle. "I don't think like that. I just think it's circumstances. I try to find positives in everything. I still got a UFC contract, which is good. I guess the next time I'll have a full camp. I don't know, man. I don't know what it is.
He said he's not mad at Jones for his decision to turn down a fight against Sonnen on eight days' notice, but he probably wouldn't do the same.
"He does what he does, I do what i do," he said. "If it's me, I fight short notice fights all the time. I know a lot of guys that do it too. But I'm not mad at him."
Helwani updated the piece with a confirmation that the bout as is will move to the October card:
According to sources close to the promotion, Hieron vs. Ellenberger will now take place at UFC on FX 5 on Oct. 5 in Minneapolis.
Ellenberger was a bit more bland with his statement:
"I know Jon, and I like him," he said. "It's frustrating for me not being able to [fight] next weekend. My opinion would be if you're the champion you should fight who they tell you to, but I've never been in his position.
"The card being canceled is very odd."
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