Ricardo Lamas needs a new opponent to fight Aug. 29 after Ryan Hall was forced out of their scheduled matchup.
A person with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the development Thursday night but requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to make an announcement. A reason for Hall’s withdrawal was not disclosed.
According to sources, Lamas (19-8 MMA, 10-6 UFC) still wants to fight at the event, which is scheduled to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The promotion is currently searching for a new foe for the former 145-pound title challenger. However, given the short-notice nature of the situation and COVID-19 restrictions, the replacement likely will need to be a U.S. citizen or a foreigner who already has an active work visa.
Lamas has not competed since a TKO loss to Calvin Kattar at UFC 238 in June 2018. Hall, meanwhile, continues struggling to find a way to get in the octagon. He’s fought just three times since winning “The Ultimate Fighter 22” in December 2015.
The latest lineup for the UFC’s Aug. 29 card includes:
- Anthony Smith vs. Aleksandar Rakic
- Robbie Lawler vs. Neil Magny
- Alexa Grasso vs. Ji Yeon Kim
- Ricardo Lamas vs. opponent TBA
- Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
- Impa Kasanganay vs. Maki Pitolo
- Hannah Cifers vs. Mallory Martin
- Zak Cummings vs. Alessio Di Chirico
- Alex Caceres vs. Giga Chikadze
- Polyana Viana vs. Emily Whitmire
- Christian Aguilera vs. Sean Brady
