A fight day medical issue has forced middleweight Eryk Anders out of UFC 309, leaving Chris Weidman unable to fight at home.
UFC officials announced the news as the UFC 309 preliminary card broadcast got underway on Saturday. The nature of Anders’ ailment was not disclosed.
Anders vs. Weidman was expected to be part of the televised preliminary card. Weidman, the UFC’s former middleweight champion, was looking to enter his third fight since returning from a catastrophic broken leg.
“The All-American” earned his first win since 2020 earlier this year when he claimed a technical decision win over Brazilian Bruno Silva. Weidman spent two years on the sidelines after snapping his leg while kicking Uriah Hall in April 2021 – an injury nearly identical to the one sustained by Anderson Silva in his second fight with Weidman.
Weidman hails from Baldwin, Long Island; losing a chance to fight in New York no doubt stings particularly badly in his case.
UFC 309 is set for Madison Square Garden on Saturday, November 16, 2024. Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, with Jones’ heavyweight title on the line, headlines. With the loss of Chris Weidman and Eryk Anders, the card moves forward with the following bouts:
- Jon Jones (c) vs. Stipe Miocic – for the UFC heavyweight championship
- Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler
- Bo Nickal vs. Paul Craig
- Viviane Araújo vs. Karine Silva
- Maurício Ruffy vs. James Llontop
- Jonathan Martinez vs. Marcus McGhee
- Jim Miller vs. Damon Jackson
- David Onama vs. Roberto Romero
- Marcin Tybura vs. Jhonata Diniz
- Mickey Gall vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
- Bassil Hafez vs. Oban Elliot
- Veronica Hardy vs. Eduarda Moura
