The upcoming UFC Fight Night 242 has experienced a last-minute shakeup in its fight card lineup. Former light heavyweight title contender Ovince Saint Preux has unfortunately been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Ryan Spann due to illness. This sudden change has resulted in the cancellation of the fight altogether, with no replacement fighter stepping in to take Saint Preux’s place. As a result, Saturday’s event at the UFC Apex will now feature a total of 12 bouts, as officially announced by the UFC on Wednesday.
The scrapped match between Saint Preux (27-17 MMA, 15-12 UFC) and Spann (21-10 MMA, 7-5 UFC) would have marked Saint Preux’s second fight of the year, following a split decision victory over Kennedy Nzechukwu at UFC Fight Night 239 in March. Meanwhile, Spann was also looking forward to his second appearance of the year as he aimed to break a three-fight losing streak. This unforeseen turn of events has undoubtedly left both fighters disappointed and eager to get back into the octagon as soon as possible.
The withdrawal of Ovince Saint Preux is not the only adjustment that has affected the UFC Fight Night 242 card during fight week. Originally, Matt Schnell was slated to face off against Alessandro Costa. However, Costa had to pull out of the fight due to an injury, leading to a change in matchups. Schnell will now be stepping into the octagon against Cody Durden on short notice, adding to the unpredictability of the event.
Despite these unexpected modifications, the UFC Fight Night 242 lineup remains stacked with exciting matchups for fans to look forward to. Some of the highly anticipated fights on the card include Gilbert Burns vs. Sean Brady, Jessica Andrade vs. Natalia Silva, and Steve Garcia vs. Kyle Nelson. With a diverse range of bouts featuring both experienced fighters and rising stars, UFC Fight Night 242 promises to deliver an action-packed evening for MMA enthusiasts.
The recent changes to the UFC Fight Night 242 lineup underscore the unpredictable nature of the sport and the resilience of the fighters who must adapt to unforeseen circumstances. While the absence of Ovince Saint Preux and the subsequent cancellation of his bout against Ryan Spann are disappointing, fans can still expect an electrifying night of fights from the remaining matchups on the card. As the fighters prepare to step into the octagon and showcase their skills, the stage is set for an unforgettable evening of MMA action at UFC Fight Night 242.