Michael Morales will have to settle with just two fights in 2022.
The unbeaten welterweight prospect suffered a fractured toe on his right foot and has been ruled out from what was a scheduled bout against Rinat Fakhretdinov at UFC Fight Night 216 on Dec. 17 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The news was first reported by DeporVito on Wednesday. Morales (14-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) confirmed the news shortly after on Twitter.
Fractura pendeja 🔥🖕🏽
De esta se sale y mas fuerte Ecuador 🇪🇨 #arrecho pic.twitter.com/IGs4S1SC0t— Michael🕷Morales🕸Hurtado (@michaellmma) November 30, 2022
It’s unknown if Fakhretdinov will get a replacement opponent or pulled from the card all together. The UFC has yet to make an official announcement.
Morales, who fights out of Entram Gym in Tijuana, Mexico, was looking to make it 3-0 in the octagon. He debuted at UFC 270 in January with a first-round knockout against Trevin Giles. He then followed up that performance with another first-finish, stopping Adam Fugitt by TKO.
The latest UFC Fight Night 216 lineup now includes:
- Jared Cannonier vs. Sean Strickland
- Damir Ismagulov vs. Arman Tsarukyan
- Julian Marquez vs. Deron Winn
- Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jamal Pogues
- Sergey Morozov vs. Journey Newson
- Amir Albazi vs. Brandon Royval
- Albert Duraev vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
- Rinat Fakhretdinov vs. opponent TBA
- Rafa Garcia vs. Hayisaer Maheshate
- Saidyokub Kakhramonov vs. Said Nurmagomedov
- Alex Caceres vs. Julian Erosa
- Tafon Nchukwi vs. Vitor Petrino
- Jake Matthews vs. Matt Semelsberger
