Forrest Griffin’s UFC loss not as big as his future gain

Former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight titleholder Forrest Griffin wasted little time getting out of Rio de Janeiro after he was knocked out in the first round by Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 134 on Saturday night.

Griffin had little to celebrate in one of the great party cities in the world, but his eagerness to leave had more to do with what was waiting at home.

Between his loss and the postfight news conference, Griffin received a text that his wife was going into early labor with their first child, a daughter, back in Las Vegas.

“If I’d have known it was going to work out like this, I would not have taken the fight,” Griffin said after the fight. “We were supposed to have nine more days.”

UFC president Dana White, himself a father of three, said he was going to do his best to make sure Griffin didn’t miss out on the birth.

“We’re going to try and get him home as fast as we can,” White said.

A short time later, White posted a picture on Twitter as he and Griffin boarded White’s plane to rush him home to be there in time for the delivery. He updated his followers on the progress during a stop.

“Just landed in Houston to refuel and go through customs. We will have Forrest home in 2 hours! Hang in there momma Griffin!”

Fortunately for Griffin, he made it home with plenty of time to spare. The baby had still not been born as of Monday night.

■ CERRONE IN FOR STOUT — Sam Stout has decided to pull out of his scheduled fight with Dennis Siver at UFC 137 in Las Vegas on Oct. 29.

No official reason was given for Stout’s decision, but he is dealing with the recent death of his trainer and brother-in-law, Shawn Tompkins.

Donald Cerrone agreed to step in to face Siver, UFC officials confirmed.

Cerrone has won five straight fights, including all three of his UFC appearances since moving to the organization following the merger with World Extreme Cagefighting. He is coming off a first-round knockout of Charles Oliveira on Aug. 14 in Milwaukee.

Siver has won four straight bouts, including an upset of George Sotiropoulos in February and a controversial decision over Matt Wiman in July.

UFC 137, which will take place at Mandalay Bay Events Center, is headlined by a welterweight title bout between Strikeforce champion Nick Diaz and UFC champ Georges St. Pierre. Welterweight contenders BJ Penn and Carlos Condit are also scheduled.

■ SHE’S BACK — Strikeforce women’s 145-pound champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos has inked a new deal with the organization.

She is widely considered the best female MMA fighter in the world.

Santos, who won the title by knocking out Gina Carano in the first round of a 2009 bout, confirmed the new contract on her Twitter account.

The Brazilian has successfully defended the belt twice and has won all four of her bouts in Strikeforce by knockout.

Santos has not fought since a victory over Jan Finney in June 2010, the last fight on her old deal.

No opponent or date has been set for Santos’ next title defense.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.