The UFC Vegas 35 fight card just took a major hit.
Former women’s bantamweight title challenger Sara McMann has re-injured herself and withdrawn from her Ketlen Vieira bout. Though no specific details were given, the Olympian told her social media followers she’s hoping for a “quick healing process.”
Aliaskhab Khizriev was also bit by the injury bug and forced from his fight with Alessio Di Chirico. The promotion is actively seeking a replacement opponent for “Manzo,” according to MMA Fighting.
In addition, MMA Island is reporting that Mario Bautista tested positive for COVID-19 and will be pulled from his fight against Guido Cannetti. Like Vieira, it has yet to be determined if Cannetti will remain on the card.
The promotion has roughly 10 days to scare up a couple of warm bodies.
Joining the list of injury withdrawals is once-beaten flyweight contender Tracy Cortez. The 27 year-old flyweight contender got hurt and removed herself from next week’s J.J. Aldrich bout, according to MMA Junkie, though Aldrich is expected to remain in the lineup.
The UFC Vegas 35 event airs on both ESPN and ESPN+ on Aug. 28 at APEX in Las Vegas, topped by the featherweight headliner between Edson Barboza vs. Giga Chikadze. Elsewhere on the card, TUF 29 champs will be crowned in the bantamweight and middleweight divisions.
See the revised UFC Vegas 35 fight card and lineup here.