Forrest Griffin should have been starring in the co-main event of this weekend’s UFC 114 card in an intriguing bout with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira. Unfortunately an injury to his right shoulder forced him to pull out, with Jason Brilz being brought in as a late replacement.

Now Griffin has undergone minor surgery which his trainer Jimmy Gifford tells the Las Vegas Sun will keep him out until late September at least.

“He ended up saying he couldn’t do it and I told him, ‘Forrest, I told you that three weeks ago.  For us to even have that conversation shows another step in his professionalism.

“There comes a time when a fighter has to say to himself, ‘I’m a pro. I still want to do this for awhile. I have to stay healthy.’ But I know it killed him to pull out.”

The length of time he’s out for makes it hard to predict who he’ll face next, particularly with the top end of the light-heavyweight division quickly changing shape.  However a recent rumor that Lyoto Machida will be his next opponent could still prove to be true since the Brazilian is also expected to be sidelined until later in the year.