After being hospitalized for kidney issues earlier this week, Cody Garbrandt has been forced to pull out of his co-main event fight against Raphael Assuncao at UFC Columbus.
AG Fight reported the news on Wednesday. MMA Fighting reported that Garbrandt was sent to to the hospital following issues with his kidney whilst training in New Jersey for his fight with Assuncao. Despite plans to see a specialist in Ohio, the issues will force him out of the fight on March 28th.
Garbrandt (11-3) was hoping to fight in his home state of Ohio for the first time ever for the UFC. The former UFC bantamweight champion has lost his last three fights all by stoppage, two of which came to T.J. Dillashaw who is currently serving a two-year USADA suspension.
Assuncao (27-7) went on an impressive run at 135 pounds from 2017-18, winning decisions against the likes of Marlon Moraes and Aljamain Sterling. Recently he has found himself in a similar position to Garbrandt, losing the rematch with Moraes by submission and most recently being on the wrong end of a decision against Cory Sandhagen.
Due to the coronavirus, UFC Columbus will be moved to Las Vegas after Ohio governor Matt DeWine said all mass gatherings will be banned in the state. It’s unclear whether Assuncao will be pulled from the card or the UFC will seek a replacement.
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