Brock Lesnar Replaced By Shane Carwin To Fight Dos Santos At UFC 131

Brock Lesnar Sick Battling Diverticulitis! We Get To See How Shane Carwin Would Do If He Finished Lesnar!

Join us on Facebook.com/MMAMaxim to comment.  Would That Be Considered A Prexisting Condition For A Less Weathly Fighter Under Zuffa's Health Insurance For Their Fighters?  

In a blockbuster announcement Thursday afternoon, UFC President Dana White revealed that Brock Lesnar is once again suffering from diverticulitis and will not be able to fight at UFC 131. Instead, the main event on that fight card will be Junior dos Santos vs. Shane Carwin.

"I want to thank the UFC, I want to thank Mr. White and I want to apologize to Junior dos Santos and Spike TV," Lesnar said. "This is an unfortunate situation for me. I dodged a bullet about two years ago with diverticulitis, at that time not knowing what the problem was. ... Diverticulitis is something that never goes away. It's something I've dealt with since the first occurrence and I've been battling it." 

Lesnar said that he has been feeling sick for three months and has been on antibiotics, and that "It didn't allow me to train to my full capabilities. I was forced to make a decision to go back to the doctor this week." Lesnar said he spent 14 hours talking to doctors at the Mayo Clinic this week, and although he insisted that the illness won't end his career and that he won't retire from MMA, he said there's simply no way he can fight as scheduled in June. 

"It wouldn't have been fair," Lesnar said. "My health is No. 1, my family is No. 1 and it was a hard decision. I'm choked up about it and there's nothing I can do."

Lesnar said White has been "first class" in his support through this relapse of his illness. White said he told Lesnar to make sure his personal health was his top priority.

"He was all bummed out about pulling out of the fight," White said, "I told him, 'Don't worry about the fight.' ... I'm glad it's not life-threatening."

For the UFC, losing the Lesnar-dos Santos bout is a major blow: This season of The Ultimate Fighter has been devoted to building up the two coaches, and it was expected to be one of the UFC's biggest pay-per-views of 2011. Instead, the UFC has now lost that main event, just a week after losing its UFC 130 main event of Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard.

But while the news is bad for the UFC, Lesnar sounded an optimistic note about his future.

"I love this sport and I love what I do," Lesnar said. "This isn't the end of Brock Lesnar."

UFC ANNOUNCES UNPRECEDENTED ACCIDENT INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR ITS ATHLETES

Customized Program That Complements Existing Event Coverage Now in Place

for Nearly 350 UFC and STRIKEFORCE^® Athletes

Las Vegas, Nevada – Zuffa, LLC, owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship^® brand, announced today that nearly 350 UFC^® and STRIKEFORCE^® independent contractor athletes will now be eligible for customized accident insurance coverage. The coverage will be underwritten by Houston Casualty Insurance Company and complement existing event coverage the company already provides its athletes. Never before has a combat sports promoter provided coverage to nearly 350 athletes, and this unprecedented policy will cover accidental injuries suffered by athletes while training, as well as non-training incidents such as automobile accidents.

To date, Zuffa event-related insurance has always met or exceeded Athletic Commission requirements and has covered all injuries sustained during competition. After exploring the purchase of “training insurance” for its athletes for several years – much of which was met with difficulty in finding an insurance company willing to insure mixed martial artists – Zuffa officials were able to secure a comprehensive plan through A+ rated Houston Casualty.

The new policy adds 24-hour worldwide medical life insurance and dental coverage, as well as emergency medical evacuation. Zuffa will pay 100 percent of the premiums for its athletes and have an employee dedicated to handling and filing all claims.

“Our athletes are some of the very best in the world and we’ve committed significant financial resources to provide them with insurance that complements the gold standard we have set for event-related coverage,” UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta said. “We’re pleased to provide coverage that enables our athletes to seek and receive treatment for injuries sustained while preparing for bouts.”

“As this sport continues to grow, we have been working hard to secure additional insurance coverage so that our athletes can perform at the highest levels,” UFC President Dana White said. “We’re proud to give our athletes access to this type of insurance.”