T.J. Dillashaw will no longer fight Cory Sandhagen in the main event of UFC Vegas 26.
A source with knowledge of the situation told Fightful that Dillashaw is suffering an infection stemming from a cut. The infection may be exasperated by the former champion's ongoing weight cut ahead of the May 8 card.
-- UPDATE --: A source with knowledge of the situation says Dillashaw is fighting off an infection. Nothing is official yet and UFC doctor has final say https://t.co/wWpWb8j0zL
— Shakiel Mahjouri (@Shak_Fu) April 28, 2021
Subsequently, Dillashaw pulled the trigger and announced his departure from the Fight Night main event.
"I’m sad to say that I have to be pulled from my fight on May 8th due to a cut received from a head butt while drilling," he captioned a photo of the cut, which you can see below. "Rescheduling the fight as soon as possible."
Dillashaw (16-4) has not competed professionally since a failed bid for the UFC flyweight title on the inaugural ESPN card in January 2019. He subsequently tested positive for EPO and was suspended for two years by USADA. Sandhagen (14-2) is the no. 2 ranked contender in the bantamweight division riding highlight reel knockouts over Frankie Edgar and Marlon Moraes.
UFC Vegas 26 is currently scheduled to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, May 8. The ESPN+ card was previously expected to be headlined by Cory Sandhagen vs. T.J. Dillashaw in a bantamweight bout that could determine the next title challenger. Keep up with Fightful for all your event-related coverage.
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