UFC Fight Island 6 has lost its co-main event just days before the card is set to go down.
On Wednesday, UFC officials confirmed during the event’s media day that the heavyweight bout between Ante Delija and Ciryl Gane had been removed for the card. That is “due to contract issues” on the part of Delija, per the promotion. No further information was provided.
However, the UFC did confirm that the women’s flyweight bout between former title challenger Katlyn Chookagian and former strawweight champ Jessica Andrade would now be the penultimate fight of the evening.
Delija (17-3) was expected to make his debut at the event. The Croatian heavyweight had previously competed for RIZIN, the Professional Fighter’s League, and most recently for Poland’s KSW.
Competing as a pro since 2011, Delija holds wins over Valentijn Overeem, Carl Seumanutafa, and Oli Thompson, among others.
Gane (6-0), a French heavyweight who has become one of the hottest prospects in the division, has now had four opponents fall through across three dates (including Shamil Abdurakhimov twice). He last fought at UFC Busan in December 2019, earning a unanimous decision win against Canada’s Tanner Boser.
French publication La Sueur was first to report news of Ante Delija vs. Ciryl Gane falling through. UFC Fight Island 6 takes place Saturday, October 17 on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Featherweights Brian Ortega and The Korean Zombie headline.
