UFC CEO Dana White and his staff are working hard this week. The injury hits keep coming for the UFC as we move toward the end of 2024.
Hours after an injury forced Tracy Cortez off the December 14 UFC Tampa card, news broke on another well-known fighter withdrawing from an upcoming event.
Former UFC men’s bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt is reportedly out of his scheduled fight with Miles John on Saturday, November 9, in Las Vegas at the UFC Apex. That fight was set to be the co-main event of the UFC’s historic 100th show at the venue.
According to Cole Shelton of BJPenn.com, Garbrandt withdrew for “undisclosed reasons.” Per Shelton, Johns is trying to remain on the card, but it would be extremely short notice if he gets a replacement opponent–we’re talking 72 hours.
Garbrandt has been trying to right the ship to make another run up the bantamweight ladder, but he has repeatedly encountered obstacles and defeats.
The fight with Johns was originally booked for October 12, but the bout was canceled. In Garbrandt’s last fight, he was defeated by Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 300 in April. That loss snapped Garbrandt’s two-fight win streak as he had scored a KO win over Brian Kelleher and a unanimous decision victory over Trevin Jones in 2023.
Those wins were preceded by back-to-back losses, which included a KO defeat in Garbrandt’s failed attempt to go down to flyweight. Kai Kara France defeated him in the first round.
Since Garbrandt defeated Dominick Cruz to win the 135-pound championship in December 2016, the former has notched a record of 3-6. At 33 years old, Garbrandt isn’t old, but the injuries, losses, and damage are beginning to build.
Johns is headed in the opposite direction. The 30-year-old has produced a 7-2 record in the UFC, including his victory over Richie Santiago in 2019 in the Dana White Contender Series.
Johns was unbeaten in his last four fights, and the scrap with Garbrandt represented the Fortis MMA product’s most significant opportunity against a well-known opponent.
Even if the UFC finds someone to replace Garbrandt, chances are they won’t be as big of a name. Here is a look at the entire UFC Vegas 100 card and how-to-watch info. I left Johns on as the promotion has seemingly not given up hope that they can find a worthy replacement for Garbrandt.
Where to Watch: ESPN+
- Main Event: Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates
- ???? vs Miles Johns
- Ricky Turcios vs Benardo Sopaj
- Gerald Meerschaert vs Reinier de Ridder
- Luana Pinheiro vs Gillian Robertson
- Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Dusko Todorovic
Prelim Matches:
- Karolina Kowalkiewicz vs Denise Gomes
- Gaston Bolaños vs Cortavious Romious
- Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs Zach Scroggins
- Matthew Semelsberger vs Charles Radtke
- Cody Stamann vs Da’Mon Blackshear
- Tresean Gore vs Antonio Trocoli
- Melissa Mullins vs Klaudia Sygula
Even if the UFC finds a replacement, a likely replacement for the co-main event could be Gerald Meerschaert vs. Reinier de Ridder. The latter is making his promotional debut following a successful career with ONE Championship, where he won the light heavyweight championship.
He will compete as a middleweight in the UFC, and Meerschaert will welcome him. Continue to stay locked in for fight week coverage leading up to the event on Saturday.
