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Was "The Korean Zombie" the right choice of replacement to face Jose Aldo at UFC 163? Where does that leave his scheduled UFC 162 opponent Ricardo Lamas?
CAMERON LYMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
I'm a big Zombie fan, Korean or otherwise. I really wish he had a tune up fight, as he has been away with injury. Dana gave him the nod for the title fight before he underwent surgery so he is "next in line." He also probably is in need of a paycheck so I have no problem with this match up even though the Zombie's performance against Poirier and Hominick may be a bit irrelevant now. Speaking of irrelevant, they should pull Clay Guida out against Chad Mendes and drop in Lamas or have him face the winner of Swanson-Siver. Those are the only two fights that make sense for Lamas going forward.
ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
"The Korean Zombie" was the right replacement, because he is a high ranked opponent and he is available. Injuries are part of our sport and more so than any other and I do not see them slowing down any time soon. I do not think "The Korean Zombie" can win, but he can make a decent fight. Ricardo Lamas might be left out in the cold. Most of the top 145 pound fighters are booked. The UFC might be forced to look farther down the rankings to find a suitable fight for him at UFC 163.
BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
I would have rather seen Ricardo Lamas in the title bout; he's won more fights of late and against better guys than Dustin Poirier. Defeating Eric Koch should have made him a lock as a replacement.
FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR
Well, I'm a big Zombie fan so I'm not the most objective on this, but I think so. I have Lamas and Zombie ranked basically the same and I think either guy would have been a great choice. As for what Lamas does now, I think you give him the winner of Aldo vs. Zombie. You also give him the option to fight again if he wants, but I think giving him a guaranteed title shot is the way to go.
C.J. TUTTLE, MMATORCH COLUMNIST
Yes, but he shouldn't of been removed from his fight with Ricardo Lamas three weeks before UFC 162. When the news was released that Pettis was getting the title shot versus Aldo, many complained that the "Zombie" was being overlooked. Now that the UFC Gods have rectified this mistake, Lamas is the odd man out.
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