The UFC’s debut event in Denmark needs a new fighter for the co-main event.
Thiago Alves (23-14 MMA, 15-11 UFC) has been forced to withdraw from a planned meeting with Gunnar Nelson (17-4-1 MMA, 8-4 UFC) at this month’s UFC on ESPN+ 18 event MMA Junkie today learned from a person familiar with the matter but not authorized to discuss it publicly.
UFC officials are currently seeking a replacement opponent to face Nelson at the Sept. 28 event, which takes place at Royal Arena in Copenhagen and streams live on ESPN+.
Injury is to blame for Alves’ withdrawal, though specifics of his condition were not immediately available and a timetable for his return was not established.
Icelandic grappling standout Nelson is looking to rebound from a split-decision loss to Leon Edwards at UFC on ESPN+ 6 in March in an outcome that saw him fall to 4-4 in his past eight fights, after opening his career undefeated through his first 14 pro contests.
The UFC on ESPN+ 18 lineup currently includes:
MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 2 p.m. ET)
- Jack Hermansson vs. Jared Cannonier
- Gunnar Nelson vs. opponent TBA
- Michal Oleksiejczuk vs. Ovince Saint Preux
- Alen Amedovski vs. John Phillips
- Ion Cutelaba vs. Khalil Rountree
- Macy Chiasson vs. Lina Lansberg
PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 11 a.m. ET)
- Alessio Di Chirico vs. Peter Sobotta
- Nicolas Dalby vs. Alex Oliveira
- Danilo Belluardo vs. Mark Madsen
- Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Ismail Naurdiev
- Marc Diakiese vs. Lando Vannata
- Nohelin Hernandez vs. Jack Shore
- Mike Davis vs. Danny Henry
