Skip to content

LEAGUES News

Blaydes-Kuniev among 2 fights scratched from UFC 313

Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty

UFC 313 has lost two fights just hours before the start of the event because of illnesses.

Curtis Blaydes withdrew from his heavyweight bout against Rizvan Kuniev and John Castaneda was forced out of his featherweight tilt with Chris Gutierrez, the promotion announced Saturday afternoon.

As a result, Saturday's event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas will proceed with 10 fights, including the main event between light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira and Magomed Ankalaev.

Blaydes said on social media he contracted norovirus Friday night.

"Worked through the night to try and recover but my body wouldn't cooperate," Blaydes wrote on his Facebook page. "Fight going to be booked for a later date. Apologize to (the) fans and my opponent, (but) we will have this fight very soon."

Blaydes-Kuniev was scheduled to serve as UFC 313's featured preliminary bout. Blaydes, the No. 5-ranked heavyweight, was looking to rebound from a knockout loss to interim champ Tom Aspinall in July. Kuniev, meanwhile, was slated to make his Octagon debut after earning a contract on Dana White's Contender Series last year.

RELATED NEWS

After review, this pitch was obstructed by @atwood_reese bat...
Texas' Atwood swings at IBB pitch, cashes in game-winning runs 😱
MATTIAS EKHOLM HAS HIS FIRST OF THE PLAYOFFS!!
Game 1 going to OT thanks to Ekholm's equalizer 🍿
Alejandro Kirk comes up clutch for the @BlueJays and walks i...
Blue Jays' Kirk rips walk-off hit against ex-teammate Romano 🎉
SAM BENNETT DOUBLES DOWN ✌️ #StanleyCup 🇺🇸: @NHL_On_TNT ...
Bennett sets Panthers record with 12th goal of these playoffs 📜
THE PANTHERS ANSWER BACK 👀 Two goals in 1:41 gives the @Fl...
Panthers surge ahead with 2 goals in 1:41 span 😼
SGA vs. Hali is going to be so good 🔥🍿 @JosephCasciaro N...
SGA VS. Hali is a dream matchup 🤩
LEON DRAISAITL OPENS THE SCORING IN GAME 1 OF THE #STANLEYCU...
Quick start for the Oilers and Draisaitl 🤩
Wyatt Langford makes an incredible hurdle to avoid the tag a...
Rangers' Langford hurdles over Rays' Aranda for incredible infield single 😲