Chad Mendes confirms he won't fight at UFC 157, Schaub/Johnson promoted to main card

Despite many calls for a superfight of epic proportions, UFC featherweight contender Chad Mendes will not be rematching Cody McKenzie. Unfortunately for Mendes, it appears that with UFC 157 less than two weeks away, there isn't a suitable replacement for the injured Manny Gamburyan. Yesterday on Twitter, Mendes confirmed to fans that he is off the February 23rd show:

Well guys it looks like I'm off the Anaheim card. Sucks pretty bad. Ill keep everyone updated with what I find out. Sorry.

— chad mendes (@chadmendes) February 10, 2013

Unfortunately with most UFC events booked until April, it's unlikely we'll be seeing him compete over the next couple of months. Mendes last fought in December against Yaotzin Meza at UFC on FX 6, but even that was a last-minute fight following Hacran Dias' injury.

In place of Mendes, a previously scheduled preliminary card fight between Brendan Schaub vs. Lavar Johnson has now been elevated to the PPV broadcast.

SBN coverage of UFC 157: Rousey vs. Carmouche