UFC Auckland, also known as UFC Fight Night 110: Lewis vs. Hunt, is down a fighter before it even gets underway. The event, taking place this evening (Saturday, Sunday locally in New Zealand) has seen Thibault Gouti removed from the card due to medical reasons.
The UFC confirmed the move in a statement on its official website prior to the start of the evening’s broadcast. Gouti was set to meet Don Hyun Kim, otherwise known as “Maestro” on the Fight Pass preliminary portion of the event. The card will now go ahead with one less fight. Though not confirmed, it is expected and standard practice that Kim will be paid his show money.
Per the UFC statement,
On the advice of physicians, and with the athlete’s health and safety in mind, UFC has removed Thibault Gouti from his bout today against Dong Hyun Kim at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt in Auckland, New Zealand due to illness.
UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Hunt will proceed with 11 bouts.
No word was given on the nature of Gouti’s illness. 11-3 as a pro, Gouti has lost all three of his UFC fights, putting him on a three fight losing streak he was hoping to snap tonight in Auckland, New Zealand.
The lone fight on the UFC Fight Pass Preliminary card will now feature South Korea’s Chan-Mi Jeon facing J. J. Aldrich at a 118lb catchweight. Jeon missed weight for the event, her UFC debut. She will forfeit 20% of her purse to Aldrich.
Check out our staff picks for the main card of UFC Fight Night 110 here.
