Garbrandt out vs. Assuncao due to kidney issues
Cody Garbrandt is out of the UFC Columbus co-main event against Raphael Assuncao on March 28 due to kidney issues, he told ESPN's Brett Okamoto.
A replacement for the ex-UFC bantamweight champion will not be sought, according to TSN's Aaron Bronsteter. The bout will reportedly be scheduled for a later date.
The 28-year-old said he was hospitalized last weekend and will see a specialist shortly. He hopes to return to training as soon as possible but a time table for his return has yet to be determined.
"I honestly don't know what it is," Garbrandt told Okamoto. "A month ago, I had cellulitis in my shin. I went to the hospital and got that cleared with antibiotics. I got back into training, but then last Friday, the lymph nodes in my groin were inflamed and I didn't feel well. I thought it was just due to rough training.
"On Saturday, I had flu-like symptoms. The lymph nodes were so inflamed I couldn't walk. I took an Uber to the hospital and did a bunch of tests on my blood, kidneys, CAT scan. The doctor sent me home and 20 minutes later I felt even worse and started pissing blood."
Garbrandt was looking to rebound from a three-fight losing streak and hopes the promotion reschedules his bout against Assuncao at a later date.
The card is currently headlined by a heavyweight tilt between Francis Ngannou and Jairzinho Rozenstruik.