UFC fight on Tom Aspinall undercard cancelled hours before event
Tom Aspinall will defend his heavyweight title on Saturday night against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 - but the event has been dealt a major blow just hours before fight night
The Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane undercard has suffered a major blow just hours before UFC 321 after a fight was pulled from the event.
Aspinall will be looking to successfully defend his heavyweight title against Gane. The Brit was promoted to undisputed champion earlier this year after former dual-weight UFC champion Jon Jones announced his shock retirement from the sport.
In the co-main event in Abu Dhabi, Mackenzie Dern and Virna Jandiroba will go head-to-head for the vacant women's strawweight title. Ahead of fight night, fighters must first do battle with the scales. All four aforementioned names successfully made weight, but two fighters on the undercard failed to make weight.
However, two athletes on the prelims did not even get the chance to make weight after it was confirmed that the lightweight showdown between Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady and Matheus Camilo has been cancelled. Al-Selwady was forced to withdraw from the blockbuster showcase due to personal reasons.
"It’s written, and I will not question it," Al-Selwady wrote on Thursday night via Facebook. "All I know is I was fully prepared, best camp of my career, on weight and ready to go. It couldn’t have gone any better, and Allah didn’t have it planned for me. Inshallah, it will all be cleared soon. Do not ask me because I myself don’t know. Maktoub."
Al-Selwady seeking his first UFC win after suffer a loss on his debut following an appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series. As for Camilo, the Brazilian made his promotional debut back in May, but ended up suffering a submission defeat to Gabe Green. Due to the late notice, Camilo will not remain on the card.
READ MORE: Tom Aspinall issues warning to Ciryl Gane after rival's chilling threatREAD MORE: Tom Aspinall gives blunt response to Jon Jones question ahead of UFC returnThe Brazilian's team had travelled over 20 hours from the United States to make it to Abu Dhabi - only told be told hours before the event that their services will not be required. That said, according to Camilo's coach Eric Nicksick, his star pupil is expected to return to the cage next month.
"20+ hours of travel to Abu Dhabi, only to find out Matheus’ opponent wasn’t going to make the scales this morning (allegedly)," Nicksick wrote on Instagram. "Huge thanks to the UFC for getting us rebooked for a November card and putting together the fastest turnaround flight of all time. Back to the States I go!"
When is Tom Aspinall vs Ciryl Gane?
Aspinall's showdown with Gane is set to take place on October 25 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The pair's clash will headline the UFC 321 pay-per-view card. Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida will also compete at the event - seemingly for the number one heavyweight contender spot.
A light-heavyweight showdown between Aleksandar Rakic and Azamat Murzakanov has also been announced, while Mitch Raposo will take on Azat Maksum. The co-main event sees Virna Jandiroba and Mackenzie Dern going head-to-head for the vacant women's strawweight title. The broadcast of the preliminary card will be available for TNT Sports subscribers to watch on TNT Sports 4 and on TNT Sports Box Office for anyone to watch in the UK and Ireland from 5pm (12pm ET / 9am PT / 11am CT).
The main card is scheduled to get underway at 7pm UK time (2pm ET / 11am PT / 1pm CT). In the main event, expect Gane to make the walk to the cage first at around 9:30pm UK time (4:30pm ET / 1:30pm PT / 3:30pm) with Aspinall to follow immediately after. The timings of all fights are subject to change and will depend on how long the undercard takes to complete. Fans in the UK and Ireland can watch the main card exclusively live on TNT Sports Box Office at a cost of £19.99.
