Irvin off UFC 98 card, Foupa-Pokam to replace if immigration issues resolved

Originally posted on MMAjunkie.com

he UFC has pulled a James Irvin (14-5 MMA, 4-4 UFC) vs. Drew McFedries (7-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC) bout from the official fight card for UFC 98 due to a knee injury suffered by Irvin.

And while Xavier Foupa-Pokam (20-10 MMA, 0-1 UFC) has been reported as Irvin's replacement, a source close to "Professor X" told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) the French fighter can only take the bout if immigration issues are resolved in time for the May 23 event.

The Irvin vs. McFedries fight had been scheduled for the televised main card of UFC 98, which takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

The event airs on pay per view.

Foupa-Pokam has agreed to the bout, but immigration problems need to be resolved quickly. Otherwise, the UFC could tap a different replacement fighter for Irvin, who was forced off the card with a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Click here to read the entire article at MMAjunkie.com