UFC Women?s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes was set to defend her title in a rematch against Valentina Shevchenko in the main event of UFC 213.
However, the champion fell ill and the fight was pulled from the card, which is tentatively rescheduled for UFC 215 this September.
Now, the champion and the challenger have both issued statements on the matter, with Nunes posting her statement on Twitter:
Shevchenko posted a much longer statement on Instagram, even claiming that Nunes? method of weight cutting is what lead to her backing out of the fight:
Nunes would deny the claim, instead saying sinusitis led to the situation.
Everyone is wanting to hear my side so here it is..... I have chronic sinusitis , I have fought with it before but this time It didn't work out, during the weight cut I was unable to breath and felt off balance from the pressure in my sinuses. I was not feeling well enough to risk getting punched in the head with such pressure. I was taken to the hospital after weigh ins and they only checked my blood and dehydration so cleared me based on that. The next day I went back and they did a CT scan and found a build up and I was prescribed antibiotics and referred to a specialist. I have never pulled out of a fight before. I am sorry to all my fans that came out to see me, I'll make it up to you the next time I step in the cage. The fight is being rescheduled. I still want this fight. I still want this opponent. Thank you
If the bout is indeed rescheduled for UFC 215, then it is going to be taking place on Saturday, September 9 from Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.