Injured Irvin out of UFC 85, merry-go-round continues

The Ultimate Fighting Championship may set a record, albeit one that isn't so enviable. That being a record for the most opponent changes ever to a single bout.

The promotion announced late Tuesday afternoon that James Irvin has suffered a broken foot and has had to withdraw from a bout against Greg Jackson-trained fighter Rashad Evans.

Evans will now face Luiz Cane, who was previously scheduled to fight Jason Lambert at the same event.

The removal of Irvin from the bout was the latest in the continuing saga to keep this bout on the UFC 85 fight card on June 7 in London.

The bout as originally scheduled was set to feature former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell against Pride 2005 Grand Prix champion Mauricio "Shogun" Rua in the main event. The Brazilian was subsequently forced to pull out of the bout due to a knee injury.

Evans then quickly stepped up to face Liddell, the bout still expected to headline the fight card at the O2 Arena. Shortly thereafter, Liddell suffered a torn right hamstring muscle, removing him from the bout. He is still unsure when he will be able to return to the ring, but has recently said that he is hoping for a return sometime this fall.

Irvin then stepped in to face Evans. At that point, the bout was relegated to a supporting role, while a new main event bout between former UFC welterweight champion Matt Hughes and American Top Team fighter Thiago Alves was signed.

Which brings us back around to Evans vs. Cane, of course with the stipulation that the bout can hold together until June 7.

At the time of publication, there was no announcement regarding a new opponent for Lambert, or if his bout would even remain on the UFC 85 fight card.