("This isn’t how Tony Robbins had me visualize shit going down.")

According to a source close to the fight, Gabe Ruediger has been forced to pull out of a planned UFC 123 bout with Paul Kelly due to a groin injury suffered in training.

CagePotato.com was informed of the situation over the weekend.

UFC matchmaker Joe Silva is looking for a replacement for Godzilla, but as of time of writing a new opponent for Kelly has yet to be signed for the November 20 event in Auburn Hills, Michigan.


Ruediger, whose five-fight submission win streak was halted by a first-round Joe Lauzon armbar in his UFC return bout at UFC 118 in August, was looking for a win over Kelly to keep his latest Octagon stint alive. His last UFC run only lasted one fight — a body shot knockout loss to Melvin Guillard prior to his appearance on The Ultimate Fighter 5. Because of his inability to make weight for a scheduled first round bout with Corey Hill on the show, Ruedigar was ordered to leave the TUF house and was not given a bout on the finale card.

The outcome of the bout had equally dire consequences for Kelly, who is 1-2 in his past three outings, having lost by spinning-back-kick TKO to Dennis Siver at UFC 105 last November and by unanimous decision to Jacob Volkmann at UFC Live: Jones vs. Matyushenko in August. In between those losses he submitted Matt Veach with a second round guillotine.

Stay tuned to CagePotato.com for news on Ruediger’s replacement as we get word of his new opponent.

*Ruediger announced via his website that he suffered a groin injury.