NAC pulls Velasquez from UFC 207
Earlier this week former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez said the pain in his back and leg was such that he…
Earlier this week former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez said the pain in his back and leg was such that he found relief only in Cannabidiol (CBD). Now Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) executive director Bob Bennett has confirmed to MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani and ESPN report that Velasquez has been pulled from the fight with Fabricio Werdum at UFC 207 on December 30.
Bennett said the NAC has an obligation to intervene when excessive risks are evident.
“Based on the medical records, interviews with Mr. Velasquez and best judgment of our chairman, chief representatives, executive director and physicians, and to protect the health and safety of the fighter, we’ve determined Mr. Velasquez is unfit to fight, said Bennett to Helwani, reports Marc Raimondi.
“It’s obvious Mr. Velasquez is physically compromised and that would place him at significant physical disadvantage in the fight. Therefore, we’ve gone ahead and suspended his license due to medical reasons.
Velasquez pulled out of a fight with Werdum in February, with similar symptoms. Now 34, Velasquez has undergone seven surgeries in his career, and has an eighth scheduled for January 4.
The UFC will not try to find a new opponent for Werdum. UFC 207 will go ahead with ten fights.