MMA world reacts to Rafael dos Anjos pulling out of UFC 196

Tuesday morning news surfaced that Rafael dos Anjos had broken his foot and would be unable to defend his UFC lightweight championship against Conor McGregor at UFC 196 on March 5th.

As can be expected with less than 2 weeks before fight night, the UFC began to scramble to find a replacement opponent for McGregor. Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, fresh off his win Saturday night, offered to take the fight on short notice. In addition, former UFC lightweight champion Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis offered to fill-in and fight McGregor.

So far the UFC has yet to make an official announcement regarding who will fill-in for dos Anjos.

Below is a compilation of Tweets from members of the MMA community regarding the news.

LOL #UFC196 pic.twitter.com/1MivfR4cDe

— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) February 23, 2016

What is wrong with these fighters!?! Can't they prepare for a fight without smashing themselves to pieces? So frustrating! 😡

— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) February 23, 2016

Noooooooooooooo!!! 😤

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) February 23, 2016

Gonna need a few sips of @MonsterEnergy today…

— Dave Sholler (@Sholler_UFC) February 23, 2016

I'm down to throw down!!! @dukeroufus @ufc @danawhite @lorenzofertitta

— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) February 23, 2016

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck FUUUUUCK! cameronrhanes broke the news to me this morning.… https://t.co/Rkn4MHTT1y

— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) February 23, 2016

Jose Aldo doesn't strike me as the short-notice type but a rematch b/w McGregor and Aldo 11 days from now certainly piques my interest.

— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) February 23, 2016

Donald Cerrone is a decent option but that's asking a lot of him, no? He was walking to the Octagon for a main event 35 hours ago.

— Jon Anik (@Jon_Anik) February 23, 2016

Dana's mentions must be like pic.twitter.com/mMiVVg4fLw

— ZombieProphet (@ZProphet_MMA) February 23, 2016

🙁

— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) February 23, 2016

RDA is out of #ufc196 not fighting McGregor anymore due to injury. Well #UFC if u need a replacement we know a Guy who likes to hurt a guy!

— JacksonWinkMMA (@JacksonWinkMMA) February 23, 2016

He's going to have to get on his knees and beg…

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) February 23, 2016