TOKYO, Dec. 23 -- As first reported by Sherdog.com on Friday, the anticipated New Year's Eve fight between Shinya Aoki (Pictures) and Gesias Calvancante (Pictures) has been cancelled.
Sasahara explained that Calvacante had a torn ligament in his left knee, which he suffered during training. According to Sasahara, the injury was originally reported to FEG on Dec. 17.
Calvacante was taken to a hospital the following day for examination where he learned that his ligament was torn and he would be unable to fight on Dec. 31's Yarennoka! card, which is a joint promotion between a group of major Japanese promoters, including FEG and former PRIDE staff, and upstart M-1 Global.
Calvacante, the 2006 and 2007 HERO'S lightweight tournament winner, appeared in front of the press unable to bend or put much weight on his left leg.
"First of all I am very sad and upset that I cannot fight," said Calvacante, who then apologized to Aoki.
"I know how hard he has been training and how difficult it is to change the opponent," said the 23-year-old Brazilian lightweight. "I am here to say sorry to Aoki and to all the fans. I am doing my best to recover. I want to [come] back. I am a professional fighter and that is what I love to do"
Looking depressed, Calvacante continued to explain how the injury occurred.
"I had the injury before the HERO'S tournament in September," he said. "I re-injured the knee in the fight against Andre Dida while I was trying to kick. Then I got hurt again while working out at the Brazilian Top Team. I was helping my friend, Milton Viera, prepare for a fight and I tore the ligament when I was taken down while we were sparring."
Aoki stressed that he wants to keep his head up and perform at a high level on New Year's Eve.
"I appreciate FEG and all the other staff for putting this fight together in the beginning," Aoki said. "It was a fantastic fight card getting a lot of attention. It is sad, but injuries happen. But I could have been the guy getting hurt and having to pull out of the card, so Calvacante is not the person to be blamed. I was told that my fight will still take place on New Year's Eve. I want to fight well and entertain the fans."
Aoki's opponent will be determined within the next few days, Sasahara said.
Both fighters expressed that they do want to have the fight rescheduled sometime next year. Calvacante said he will fly back to Brazil for further examinations and a surgery will be required to repair his knee ligament.
Calvancante's father told Sherdog.com on Saturday that he expects the fight to be made for March.