UFC flyweight champion Nicco Montano, who is scheduled to defend her title this Saturday night at UFC 228 against Valentina Shevchenko, has been transported to a local hospital, leaving her fight against “Bullet” in question.
The news was first reported by Ariel Helwani of ESPN. After suffering an infection that required her tonsils to be removed, and a foot injury, Montano has not stepped foot in the octagon since winning the inaugural UFC women’s flyweight title in December 2017.
Specifics regarding why Montano has been transported to a hospital are yet to be announced, but regardless Helwani has stated there is “serious concern” whether her fight against Shevchenko will take place. Aaron Bronsteter of TSN has since confirmed Helwani’s report, stating Montano is in an emergency ward of a hospital in the Dallas area.
Helwani has reported there are “ongoing discssions” about what to do with the co-main event between Montano and Shevchenko. Although there are no other female flyweights competing on the UFC 228 card, four strawweights have fights booked, meaning there is a possibility one of those fighters could be pulled from their fights, to fill in for Montano.
Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for further updates.
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