Photo by Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
In news that will come as a shock to no one, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) heavyweight, Walt Harris, has withdrawn from his upcoming fight against Alistair Overeem, previously scheduled for the UFC on ESPN 7 main event in Washington, D.C., on Sat., Dec. 7, 2019.
That’s according to a report from MMA Junkie.
Harris (13-7, 1 NC) is stuck in every parent’s worst nightmare, as his 19 year-old daughter, Aniah Haley Blanchard, went missing back on Oct. 24 in Auburn, Alabama. Investigators recently revealed that foul play may be involved, prompting promotion president, Dana White, to pony up $25k for the reward leading to the arrest of those involved.
“Evidence from within Aniah Blanchard’s vehicle, recovered in Montgomery, was examined by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and has now determined that she was harmed and is considered to be a victim of foul play,” a police statement said. “The Auburn Police Division and Montgomery Police Department are still requesting assistance from the public regarding any information on the location of Aniah and her vehicle between Wednesday, October 23, 2019, and today.”
Now, another member of the UFC family is getting involved.
“Dana White, UFC, add another $25,000 to that reward,” UFC light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, wrote on Instagram. “The reward money is now $55,000. Have someone from the office shoot me a call on where to send the money exactly.”
No word yet on who will replace Harris in the UFC on ESPN 7 main event; however, Overeem is expected to remain on the card. The good news for “Demolition Man” is that heavyweight rarely requires a weight cut and we still have more than a month until fight night.
Time for this rematch?