Report: UFC set for big blow as injury forces star out of co-main event

Report: UFC set for big blow as injury forces star out of co-main event

The UFC has been dealt a big setback ahead of next month’s pay-per-view event, with Charles Oliveira reportedly forced out of his co-main event against Beneil Dariush at UFC 288 with injury.

A report from ESPN claims Oliveira has been made to limit his training in the past few weeks due to injury and as a result will not be ready for the fight against Dariush.

It has been widely suggested that instead of finding a replacement fighter to take on Dariush, the UFC will instead opt to reschedule the bout for another date.

The nature of Oliveira’s injury is not known at this stage.

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It is a significant blow for the UFC 288 event, with Jonathan Pearce also withdrawing from his scheduled fight with Bryce Mitchell earlier in the week.

That fight though will not be rescheduled with the UFC instead said to be looking for a replacement to face Mitchell.

UPDATED UFC 288 CARD

Champ Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo – for bantamweight title

Bryce Mitchell vs. opponent TBC

Jessica Andrade vs. Yan Xiaonan

Rolando Bedoya vs. Khaos Williams

Johnny Munoz vs. Daniel Santos

Virna Jandiroba vs. Marina Rodriguez

opponent TBC vs. Armen Petrosyan

Devin Clark vs. Kennedy Nzechukwu

Kron Gracie vs. Charles Jourdain

Rafael Estevam vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov

Drew Dober vs. Matt Frevola

Joseph Holmes vs. Claudio Ribeiro