sports
Injury Forces Fighter Withdrawal From Grappling Event
A scheduled grappling match between a retired fighter and a current UFC bantamweight has been canceled after an injury. The fighter's brother will replace him on short notice at the Absolute Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 21 event.
news.sky.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
An injury has forced a retired fighter to withdraw from a planned grappling bout scheduled for July 5 in Russia. His younger brother will take his place against the UFC bantamweight in the main event of the Absolute Championship of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 21 card.
The retired fighter announced the withdrawal on his Instagram Story. Red Corner MMA later confirmed the change and identified the brother as the replacement.
Background on the scheduled matchup The bout would have marked the retired fighter's first competitive appearance since June 2022. The fighter had retired at age 31 with a 6-0 record inside the UFC. Earlier reports indicated the 35-year-old planned a return to grappling competition this year. The matchup against the UFC bantamweight was set to occur seven years after the fighter's last bout.
Injury history and replacement details The retired fighter has withdrawn from several scheduled bouts in the past due to undisclosed injuries. Those withdrawals included a 2018 matchup and a 2019 bout that was later rescheduled. The fighter's brother competes professionally in the PFL and holds an 11-0 record.
Most of those wins occurred under the Bellator banner before its merger with the PFL. No details have been released about the nature of the current injury.
