A main card pairing between featherweights Movsar Evloev and Zhenhong Lu is off of UFC Shenzhen.
It’s been a tumultuous time for Movsar Evloev. The undefeated Russian made his UFC debut earlier this year, and was expected to return at UFC Shenzhen this weekend. However, original opponent Mike Grundy was forced off the card. That resulted in the UFC bringing in Zhenhong Lu as a short notice replacement.
Unfortunately, after weighing in early Friday morning, Lu was himself forced out of the event. Although he made weight, Lu reportedly suffered a cut after weighing in that has left him ineligible to fight.
MMA DNA was first to report the news, and a photo of a bloodied Lu has made the rounds.
Evloev and Lu had previously competed outside the UFC under the M-1 banner in 2015. Evloev won that meeting via unanimous decision.
No official response to the development has yet been communicated by the UFC. Evloev vs. Lu was expected to be part of the main card of UFC Shenzhen, alternately UFC Fight Night 157. The pair did not hit the stage at the ceremonial weigh-ins.
The main event of the ESPN+ show will see China’s own Weili Zhang challenge Jessica Andrade for the women’s strawweight title. The main card kicks off tomorrow at 6AM ET following early prelims on Fight Pass.
