The UFC is in need of a replacement fighter to take on former champ Robbie Lawler on June 29.
A rematch between Tyron Woodley and Robbie Lawler will have to wait.
Woodley is out of the UFC Minneapolis main event opposite Lawler on June 29 due to a hand injury, ESPN reported Friday. Officials are seeking a replacement to fight Lawler on short notice.
Woodley, who underwent surgery to fix a dislocated thumb last year, does not have an immediate timetable for his return. He is expected to see a specialist next week, per the report.
Woodley lost the UFC welterweight title in his last bout. Kamaru Usman dominated him with wrestling over five rounds in the UFC 235 co-main event in March. After winning the title with a knockout of Lawler in 2016, Woodley defended the belt four times.
Lawler is coming off a controversial first-round submission loss to Ben Askren, also at UFC 235. After an early flurry from the ex-UFC champ, Askren got Lawler in a submission hold late in the round. Referee Herb Dean called off the bout despite the fact Lawler did not appear to tap, although Dean believed that Lawler had gone limp.
That marked Lawler’s second straight loss. He is 1-2 since dropping the title to Woodley.
UFC Minneapolis, which takes place at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, also features a welterweight bout between Demian Maia and Anthony Rocco Martin and a flyweight rematch between top contenders Jussier Formiga and Joseph Benavidez. The main card airs live on ESPN.