John Makdessi has been forced to withdraw from UFC 241, and the company is currently seeking a replacement foe for lightweight Devonte Smith (10-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC).
MMA Junkie today learned of the change from a UFC official. Due to the late notice, the replacement opponent would most likely need to be a U.S. citizen or already have a permit to work in the country.
UFC 241 takes place Aug. 17 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The night’s main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.
Smith made his way to the UFC through a knockout victory at this past August’s Dana White’s Contender Series 16. “King Kage” has followed that up with a pair of first-round knockout wins in the UFC’s octagon, taking out Dong Hyun Ma and Julian Erosa. The win over Ma also earned Smith a “Performance of the Night” bonus.
A timetable for Makdessi’s return wasn’t immediately established.
The UFC 241 lineup currently includes:
- Champ Daniel Cormier vs. Stipe Miocic – for heavyweight title
- Nate Diaz vs. Anthony Pettis
- Paulo Costa vs. Yoel Romero
- Raphael Assuncao vs. Cory Sandhagen
- Derek Brunson vs. Ian Heinisch
- Christos Giagos vs. Drakkar Klose
- Manny Bermudez vs. Casey Kenney
- Hannah Cifers vs. Jodie Esquibel
- Brandon Davis vs. Kyung Ho Kang
- Gabriel Benitez vs. Sodiq Yusuff
- Devonte Smith vs. opponent TBA
- Poliana Botelho vs. Maryna Moroz
- Shana Dobson vs. Sabina Mazo
