UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw suffered a rib injury during his preparation for a rematch with Renan Barao at UFC 186. The fight has now been postponed and there’s no timetable for his return to the Octagon.
Continue for updates.
Ruled Out of UFC 186
Tuesday, March 24
Nancy Gay of the promotion’s official site passed along word of the injury from Dana White:
“UFC president Dana White said Tuesday that T.J. Dillashaw has sustained a rib fracture that will force a postponement of his much-anticipated UFC 186 bantamweight rematch against Renan Barao in Montreal on April 25.”
Dillashaw apologized to his fans on Instagram:
First of all I want apologize to all my fans and everyone looking forward to this fight. I unfortunately had to pull out of the fight do to a fractured rib. Just a freak accident during wrestling practice. This is heart breaking to me because I was looking forward to this fight and never want to be a fighter having to pull out of a fight. I will heal up quick and come back as soon as I can. Thx for the support
It’s the second time the fight has been pushed back. Dillashaw and Barao were originally slated to take part in an immediate rematch last August after the title changed hands at UFC 173. The former champion was forced to back out after fainting and hitting his head on a bathtub.
Dillashaw defended the belt against Joe Soto instead. He won the fight with a knockout in the fifth round. That was supposed to set the stage for the Barao rematch. But the fractured rib has obviously placed a hold on those plans once again.
Now it’s unclear what will happen as UFC awaits a firm timetable for the champion’s return.
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