For the second time in as many attempts, the scheduled bout between UFC middleweights Yoel Romero and Ronaldo Souza has fallen through. While the fight was delayed the first time due to an illness suffered by Jacare in January of this year, this time it’s Romero’s turn.
The former Cuban Olympian suffered a ligament and meniscus tear in his knee during training and cannot compete, MMA Fighting has learned. UFC has not officially announced his withdrawal at the time of this report.
The two were originally set to face off at UFC 184, but Jacare pulled out of the fight with pneumonia. The bout was subsequently moved to UFC on FOX 15. There is no word on the expected recovery timeline for Romero or if the UFC will attempt to secure this fight a third time.
Romero, 37, last competed at UFC 178 in September where he defeated Tim Kennedy via third-round TKO. His record stands at 9-1 in professional MMA.
Souza, 35, is 21-3 with 1 no-contest in MMA. His last bout was a UFC Fight Night 50 victory over Gegard Mousasi, a bout he won in the third round via guillotine submission.
UFC on FOX 15 is scheduled for April 18 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Guilherme Cruz contributed to this report.