Alex Munoz won’t be competing at UFC on ESPN+ 27.
An undefeated Team Alpha Male prospect, Munoz (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was expected to make his promotional debut against Luis Pena. However, an injury has forced the highly touted wrestling-based lightweight from the bout, MMA Junkie today confirmed with UFC officials.
UFC execs are now hoping Pena (7-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) will remain on next week’s card against a different opponent and are currently seeking candidates. UFC on ESPN+ 27 takes place Feb. 29 at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va., and streams on ESPN+.
Munoz, 29, was signed on the most recent episode of “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight” after defeating fellow top prospect Troy Lamson. Team Alpha Male’s wrestling coach, Munoz also holds a dominant decision victory over Nick Newell on “Dana White’s Contender Series.”
A timetable for his return wasn’t immediately established.
With the change, the current UFC on ESPN+ 27 lineup includes:
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)
- Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo – for vacant flyweight title
- Zarah Fairn vs. Felicia Spencer
- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
- Megan Anderson vs. Norma Dumont
- Grant Dawson vs. Darrick Minner
- Kyler Phillips vs. Gabriel Silva
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET)
- Brendan Allen vs. Tom Breese
- Luis Pena vs. TBA
- Serghei Spivac vs. Marcin Tybura
- T.J. Brown vs. Jordan Griffin
- Spike Carlyle vs. Aalon Cruz
- Sean Brady vs. Ismail Naurdiev
