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The UFC is left searching for a replacement just days until its return to Boston for UFC 292 this weekend. On Sunday night, Cody Garbrandt announced that he has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled pay-per-view bout against Mario Bautista due to injury.
The former bantamweight champion’s withdrawal was announced during the UFC Vegas 78 broadcast over the weekend, with Garbrandt confirming the injury on social media on Sunday.
“Yes I’m bummed I tore my disk again. I’ll be back in there sooner than later,” Garbrandt wrote.
Yes I’m bummed I tore my disk again. I’ll be back in there sooner than later.
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) August 13, 2023
For the 30-year-old Bautista, who is riding a four-fight winning streak, the opportunity to face a marquee opponent must now wait, while he also waits to see if the UFC can find a replacement on a few days’ notice to take on at TD Garden on August 19.
Garbrandt, meanwhile, faces his latest setback as he was trying to build momentum off of a March 2023 win over Trevin Jones. It’s been a rocky ride for Garbrandt since losing the UFC bantamweight title to rival TJ Dillashaw, going just 2-5 in his last 7 bouts including four knockout losses.
UFC 292 goes down on Saturday, August 19 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
The UFC 292 prelims kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+ before the action shifts to ESPN at 8:00 p.m. ET. The main card will air exclusively on ESPN+ pay-per-view beginning at 10:00 p.m. ET.
