Former World Series of Fighting standout [autotag]Timur Valiev[/autotag] won’t make his UFC debut Saturday after all.
Two days before his UFC on ESPN+ 31 bout, Valiev (16-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) has withdrawn from his scheduled preliminary card bout against [autotag]Jamall Emmers[/autotag], who is now being targeted to face promotional newcomer [autotag]Vincent Cachero[/autotag] instead.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation, including Emmers’ manager, Oren Hodak, confirmed the targeted booking to MMA Junkie on Thursday.
Emmers (17-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) was signed to the promotion in early 2020 as a short-notice replacement to fight Giga Chikadze at UFC 248 in March. That night, Emmers had his four-fight winning streak snapped, dropping a split decision.
[lawrence-related id=540031,540140,540135]
Cachero (7-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his UFC debut having lost two out of his most recent three fights. A seven-fight LFA veteran, Cachero has finished four of his wins inside the distance, including his most recent victory at LFA 81 in January.
With the change, the UFC on ESPN+ 31 lineup includes:
- Derek Brunson vs. Edmen Shahbazyan
- Joanne Calderwood vs. Jennifer Maia
- Randy Brown vs. Vicente Luque
- Bobby Green vs. Lando Vannata
- Trevin Giles vs. Kevin Holland
- Jonathan Martinez vs. Frankie Saenz
- Ed Herman vs. Gerald Meerschaert
- Ray Borg vs. Nate Maness
- Markus Perez vs. Eric Spicely
- Vincent Cachero vs. Jamall Emmers
- Cody Durden vs. Chris Gutierrez
[vertical-gallery id=497583]