UFC 228: Women's flyweight title fight is off after champion Nicco Montano is hospitalized

Steven Muehlhausen

UFC 228: Women's flyweight title fight is off after champion Nicco Montano is hospitalized image

If you were looking forward to seeing the UFC women's flyweight title being defended at Saturday's UFC 228, you will have to wait a little bit longer.

Multiple sources have confirmed to Sporting News that the co-main event between champion Nicco Montano and Valentina Shevchenko has been canceled. A source has told SN that Montano was sent to the hospital due to an issue with her weight cut. ESPN initially reported the fight was scrapped. 

The UFC released a statement confirming the cancellation of the title fight.

“As a precautionary measure, UFC flyweight Nicco Montaño was transported to a medical facility Friday morning due to health concerns,” the UFC said in a statement released to SN. “The scheduled championship bout between Montaño & Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 228 has been canceled.”

MORE: UFC 228: Woodley vs. Till fight date, PPV price, how to watch and live stream

Shevchenko officially weighed in on Friday morning, coming in at 124.5 pounds and sources told SN that she wouldn't be facing a replacement.

Montano (4-2) won the inaugural women's 125-pound strap at The Ultimate Fighter Finale in December, beating Roxanne Modafferi by unanimous decision. Many, including Shevechenko, have doubted Montano wanting to face her. The champion said a nagging foot injury and having a tonsillectomy derailed her for making her first title defense.

Shevchenko (15-3) earned the opportunity by submitting Priscila Cachoeira at UFC Fight Night 125 in her flyweight debut after going 3-2 at bantamweight, with both losses to champion Amanda Nunes. 

UFC 228 will continue with 13 fights on the bill including the main event of Tyron Woodley defending the welterweight championship against Darren Till. No word on what the new co-main event will be.

 

Steven Muehlhausen

Steven Muehlhausen Photo

Steven Muehlhausen is a contributing writer for DAZN News. He writes features and news stories, and provides analysis relating to the world of boxing. Over the past five years, he has interviewed some of the biggest names in combat sports, including Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Terence Crawford, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Bill Goldberg.