UFC 104 Fight Updates: Gormley Vs. Struve, Velasquez Vs. Rothwell

Cain Velsaquez by Justin McAllister

In the last twenty-four hours we have seen a bevy of heavyweight fights get changed around.  As reported earlier, Shane Carwin is no longer fighting Cain Velasquez (6-0) at UFC 104, and will instead be fighting for the title when he takes on Brock Lesnar.  Many wondered whom Velasquez would get in return.  Now Velasquez will get the former IFL heavyweight champion Ben Rothwell (30-6).

Ben Rothwell was originally schedule to fight Chase Gormley at “Affliction: Trilogy”, but after Josh Barnett failed a drug test, the event fell through and the UFC scooped up the fight for their UFC 104 card.

Now that Ben Rothwell will be taking on Cain Velasquez, that left his original opponent, Chase Gormley, without a fight.  Stephan Struve has stepped up to take Rothwell’s place against Gormley.

Prior to his last two fights, Ben Rothwell was on a thirteen fight win streak and then he ran into Andrei Arlovski at “Affliction: Banned”.  After losing to the “Pitbull” he would go on to submit Chris Guilen by strikes at “Adrenaline MMA 2″ in December of 2008.

The undefeated Cain Velasquez is regarded by as one of the best fighters in the heavyweight division.  At “UFC 99: The Comeback” Velasquez had his first decision victory of his career when he was able to hold control Cheick Kongo for the entire fight.  Other than the Kongo fight, Velasquez had earned the technical knock victory in all of previous fights.

Chase Gormley is undefeated with a record of 6-0.  He was scheduled to fight Ben Rothwell at the now dead “Affliction: Trilogy” event.  Gormley last fought for the Canadian promotion MFC.

Stephan “Skyscraper” Struve stands at an impressive 6’11″.  He has gone 1-1 inside the octagon submitting Denis Stojnic in his last fight at “UFC 99: The Comeback”.

UFC 104 takes place Saturday October 24 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.