UFC will have to find a new main event for their last pay-per-view show of the year.
Welterweight champ Belal Muhammad announced Thursday that a bone infection has forced him out of a title fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov on December 7 as part of UFC 310.
Muhammad revealed the injury in a recent Instagram post, showing that the bone infection has caused a worrying inflated toe visual.
“Caught a bone infection in my foot,” Muhammad said. “Had to put a PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) in my arm for IV antibiotics and the next 6 weeks [will be] with no physical activity. Allah’s plan is the best plan I’m sorry to everyone that were coming to see me, I’ll be back soon. Inshallah.”
The booking was expected to be Muhammad’s first appearance since capturing UFC’s welterweight title earlier this year in a five-round decision over Leon Edwards.
Kazakhstan’s Rakhmonov was booked for a title shot after putting together six consecutive finish wins in the promotion, including fights last year against Geoff Neal and Stephen Thompson. It has yet to be revealed whether Rakhmonov will stay on the card or if he will be scratched from the lineup along with Muhammad.
If a new matchup cannot be found for the main event of UFC 310, it’s possible that a flyweight clash between Alexandre Pantoja and former RIZIN champ Kai Asakura could headline the show. The 125-pound talents are currently set to appear in the co-main event of the evening in Las Vegas.