Brazilian bantamweight John Lineker has been forced to withdraw from his UFC Fight Night 53 bout with Cody Garbrandt this Sunday night after falling ill with Dengue Fever.
“I apologize @Cody_Nolove,I know just how bad do all preparation and can not fight,we all went out harmed,” Lineker wrote to his opponent on Twitter after the news broke.
Dengue Fever is a virus transmitted via mosquito bites which causes fever and acute pain in the joints which left the 26 year-old with no option but to pull out of the fight.
The UFC are now on the hunt for a suitable replacement opponent to take on Garbrandt on less than a week’s notice for the event which takes place in Pittsburgh.
Lineker is currently on a three-fight winning streak and is ranked No.11 in the division, which would have made him the toughest opponent to date for Garbrandt.
‘No Love’ is on a two-fight winning streak in the UFC himself after joining the UFC in January of last year, and with a perfect 7-0 record overall he’s been tipped as a potential future star in the division.
UFC Fight Night 83 will be headlined by a welterweight fight between Donald Cerrone and Alex Oliveira on Sunday night, with Derek Brunson Vs Roan Carneiro set as the co-main event.
