An injury has forced Brad Tavares out of his upcoming bout.
Tavares was scheduled to take on Antonio Carlos Junior at UFC Brasilia but has suffered an injury that will force him out of the fight. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the news to MMA Junkie after an initial report from Combate stated an injured knee is the reason for Tavares’ withdrawal.
With more than three months remaining until the March 14 event, it’s likely that the UFC will seek a replacement for Carlos Junior (10-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC).
Tavares (17-6 MMA, 12-6 UFC) made his return after a more than year-long layoff at UFC 244 against rising star Edmen Shahbazyan, who won by first-round knockout. After winning four straight fights, Tavares has lost his last two in a row to current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, and Shahbazyan in November.
Carlos Junior was also looking to get back on track and snap a two-fight losing skid. After compiling a five-fight winning streak, he has dropped back-to-back fights to Ian Heinisch and Uriah Hall.
UFC Brasilia takes place March 14 at Ginasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil. The event is expected to stream on ESPN+.
The current UFC Brasilia lineup includes:
- Aleksei Kunchenko vs. Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos
- Nikita Krylov vs. Johnny Walker
- Antonio Carlos Junior vs. TBD
- Jussier Formiga vs. Brandon Moreno
- Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant
- Enrique Barzola vs. Rani Yahya
- Veronica Macedo vs. Bea Malecki
- Maryna Moroz vs. Mayra Bueno Silva
