UFC 216 is down a bout, as lightweight Nik Lentz fell ill during his weight cut for Saturday’s event. Lentz was expected to face Will Brooks on the preliminary card airing on FX (in place of Fox Sports 1). Combat Press first reported that the fight was off. The UFC then released an official statement.
Per our writer @justynlikes, Nik Lentz-Will Brooks will be scratched. Lentz had issues with weight cut. #ufc216
— Combat Press (@CombatPress) October 6, 2017
Per the UFC statement on the fight’s cancellation:
Due to medical issues with Nik Lentz, his bout against Will Brooks at UFC 216 has been cancelled.
The bout between Matt Schnell and Marco Beltran has been moved to the FX prelims, and UFC 216 will proceed as scheduled with 12 bouts.
Lentz (27–8–2 (1)) is 2-2 in his last four bouts in the UFC, and was coming off a loss to Islam Makhachev at UFC 208. He has been better known for feuding with B.J. Penn than for fighting in recent months, however.
“The Carny” missed weight at UFC 203 last year, despite having recently returned to the lightweight division from featherweight. Though the UFC statement does not specify issues with the weight cut, that is reportedly to blame for Lentz being off the card.
There’s no word as to whether “Ill” Will Brooks, the former Bellator MMA lightweight champion, will still get his show money. Brooks weighed in successfully earlier today.
UFC 216 takes place Saturday at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
