Irish lightweight Joseph Duffy has been forced out of UFC Fight Night 142 on Dec. 2 from inside Adelaide Entertainment Centre in Adelaide, Australia, due to a rib injury.
Duffy’s removal was originally reported by FloCombat, which was later confirmed by MMA Fighting.
While Duffy was expected to fight UFC veteran Ross Pearson an injury to “Real Deal” forced him to withdraw first. The promotion then turned to M-1 Global lightweight champion Damir Ismagulov to fill in for Pearson, but now Duffy has been removed. It is unknown at this time if Ismagulov, who is the first Kazakhstani fighter in UFC history, will remain on the Australian card.
Duffy, 30, hasn’t quite cashed in on his potential since his UFC debut nearly four years ago. The Irishman has produced a 4-2 clip in one of the most dangerous divisions in the sport today, but he has come up short in big spots opposite lightweight contenders Dustin Poirier and James Vick. That said, he still holds a key submission victory over Conor McGregor under the Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC) banner.
Having inked a new seven-fight deal with UFC last year Duffy will have more than a few opportunities to rebound from this injury and jump start his divisional ascension.
UFC Fight Night 142 will air live on FOX Sports 1 and feature a main event heavyweight clash between former UFC champion Junior dos Santos and rising Australian contender Tai Tuivasa.
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