The list of fights for UFC 313 just got a bit shorter.
Two bouts have officially been cancelled by the promotion on Saturday: A heavyweight contest between No. 5 ranked Curtis "Razor" Blaydes and debutant Rizvan Kuniev, along with a featherweight matchup between John "Sexi Mexi" Castaneda and Chris "El Guapo" Gutierrez.
According to the UFC, Blaydes and Castaneda fell ill, resulting in both fights being removed from the pay-per-view card set for action at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The UFC has not announced whether either of the fights will be rescheduled.
Watch UFC 313 on Sportsnet+
Alex Pereira looks for his fourth title defence when he faces Magomed Ankalaev in his most difficult style matchup to date, plus Justin Gaethje makes his anticipated return against fellow striker Rafael Fiziev. Watch UFC 313 on Saturday, March 8 with prelim coverage beginning 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, and pay-per-view main card starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT.
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Blaydes (18-5-0) hasn't been in an octagon since losing a title fight to interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall at UFC 304 in the summer of last year. The 34-year-old was originally supposed to take on Kuniev on a UFC Fight Night card in Seattle last month, but it was then rescheduled to Saturday's pay-per-view event.
Meanwhile, both Castenada and Gutierrez haven't fought in nearly a year due to multiple previous bout cancellations.
With the changes, here is a revised projected fight order for UFC 313:
MAIN CARD
- Champ Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev – for light heavyweight title
- Rafael Fiziev vs. Justin Gaethje
- Ignacio Bahamondes vs. Jalin Turner
- Amanda Lemos vs. Iasmin Lucindo
- King Green vs. Mauricio Ruffy
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Rei Tsuruya vs. Joshua Van
- Brunno Ferreira vs. Armen Petrosyan
- Carlos Leal vs. Alex Morono
- Francis Marshall vs. Mairon Santos
- Ozzy Diaz vs. Djorden Santos
