UFC 215 main event cancelled as Borg withdraws from Johnson fight

MANILA, Philippines – UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson won’t get a chance to surpass Anderson Silva’s record for most title defenses this weekend as challenger Ray Borg has withdrawn from their fight in the UFC 215 main event, scheduled for this Saturday at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Canada.

Borg had been ill this week, multiple outlets report, and he wasn’t cleared to compete by UFC medical staff.

Dr Michelle Ingels, Borg’s nutritionist, told MMAFighting.com that his withdrawal “wasn’t weight related.”

“Ray has been progressively [sicker] each day this week and still wanted to fight so badly that he put on a game face and went to all of his fight week obligations,” Ingels added. 

“However, prior to beginning the bulk of his weight cut, the UFC doctor examined Borg and concluded that he was too ill to fight this week and needed to rest and get better.”

Johnson’s title defense at UFC 215 would have been his 11^th consecutive, putting him in position to break Silva’s record for most defenses. Johnson will still have a chance to break the record, although he would have to wait for when the fight is rebooked. As of press time, nothing has been finalized. 

Amanda Nunes vs Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s bantamweight title will replace Johnson vs. Borg as the UFC 215 main event. Nunes is the first openly gay champion in UFC history and is best known for obliterating Ronda Rousey in 48 seconds in Rousey’s comeback to the Octagon after a one-year hiatus. – Rappler.com