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UFC's PH return postponed as Penn suffers injury

BJ Penn's injury forced the UFC to cancel its Philippine return. Josh Hedges/UFC (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The UFC postponed its much-anticipated second event in the Philippines on Friday following the injury to main event protagonist BJ Penn.

“I suffered a rib injury in training and I apologize to the fans in Manila who were expecting to watch me compete. I hope to be back in the Octagon soon,” Penn said in a statement, confirming a report by USA Today's John Morgan on Wednesday.

The UFC initially planned to find a new opponent for Ricardo Lamas with Fil-Am star Philippe Nover among those who volunteered, but the promotion eventually opted to call the Oct. 15 fight card at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay off.

The fight card is supposed to have PXC flyweight champion Jenel Lausa's UFC debut and the PH return of another PXC alumnus, Jon Tuck.

Lamas, Lausa, and Tuck, along with the rest of the fighters booked for the said fight card, will be compensated for the postponement of the said event, which will likely be rescheduled for 2017. They will also be re-booked for future UFC events.

Refunds for the tickets can be done at the points of purchase.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno