(So is the implication here that he causes mushroom clouds, or just poses in front of them with his shirt off?)

The UFC today confirmed what we all suspected. Chris Leben has been pulled from his bout with Michael Bisping due to ongoing legal trouble that will keep him locked up throughout most of the month. Instead of scratching the bout altogether, they’ve tapped Jason “Dooms” Day as his replacement.

Day, a Canadian who’s coming off a TKO win over Alan Belcher when he filled in for Patrick Cote at UFC 83, is a solid replacement for Leben. He’s 17-5, riding a five-fight win streak, and better still, he’s not locked up in jail right now. In fact, the only major criticism we can think of for Day revolves around his nickname. When your last name is Day, you have a lot of options. It just seems like “Dooms” was the first thing they thought of, and the first thing is rarely the best thing.

All I’m saying is, Jason “Dooms” Day sounds like just another dude trying hard to come up with an intimidating nickname. Jason “Sunny” Day, on the other hand, that’s a guy might have a screw loose. Other options include Jason “Wedding” Day and Jason “Oh, It’s Such A Perfect” Day, to name a couple.

In any event, Bisping likes the match:

“Obviously I was looking forward to the Leben fight but I guess it wasn’t to be,” said Bisping. “You have to respect Jason Day for stepping in on even shorter notice than myself. I am looking forward to really putting on a great performance in London.”

“Jason Day looked bloody dangerous in his fight with Belcher and I think this fight has exactly the same potential as the Leben fight to be a real war”

I guess if you’re Bisping and you can’t beat up an American in your home country, a Canadian is the next best thing. With the UFC slashing away at their rosters in recent weeks, you can bet Day is feeling the pressure to turn in a strong performance here. Dana White loves nothing more than a guy who can step in on short notice and put on a good show. And if there was ever a time for an up-and-coming fighter to get on White’s good side, that time is now.