The UFC 293 main card has one less top contender than it did just days ago.
Top flyweight contender [autotag]Kai Kara-France[/autotag] will no longer fight [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] at the Sept. 9 pay-per-view event in Sydney due to a concussion, he announced in an Instagram post Monday.
“I just wanted to come on here and give you guys an update,” Kara-France said. “Unfortunately, I’ve had to withdraw from my next fight in Sydney, Australia: UFC 293. I suffered a concussion over the weekend in training. I’ve been speaking to my coaches, my team, and my family. They all think it’s the right decision to put my health first.
“I just want to say sorry to all the friends and family that bought tickets, flights, accommodation, (and to) all of the fans that were excited to fight live. I’m gutted I won’t be a part of this card. It’s been a tough week with my second son being born as well as me pulling out of this fight. Mixed emotions. Frustrated. But I’ve just got to focus on the positives and just spend time with my loved ones. I appreciate the ongoing support and we’ll be back soon. Much love.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CwMd_U2I8Wb/
Whenever Kara-France (24-11 MMA, 7-4 UFC) returns, he’ll look to snap a two-fight skid. After a failed interim title bid vs. Brandon Moreno, Kara-France lost a close and controversial split decision to Amir Albazi in June.
While at this time it’s unclear if he’ll remain on the card, Kape (18-6 MMA, 3-2 UFC) rides three straight wins after a rocky 0-2 start to his promotional tenure. Once he joined the UFC he dropped fights against Alexandre Pantoja and Matheus Nicolau. Since, he’s beaten Ode Osbourne, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, and David Dvorak.
This cancellation marks Kape’s third straight booking that fell through due to an opponent withdrawal
With the change, the UFC 293 lineup includes:
- Champion Israel Adesanya vs. Sean Strickland – for middleweight title
- Tai Tuivasa vs. Alexander Volkov
- Manel Kape vs. TBA
- Austen Lane vs. Justin Tafa
- Tyson Pedro vs. Anton Turkalj
- Dan Un Jung vs. Carlos Ulberg
- Jack Jenkins vs. Chepe Mariscal
- Blood Diamond vs. Charlie Radkte
- Gabriel Miranda vs. Shane Young
- John Makdessi vs. Jamie Mullarkey
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 293.