REPORT: Thrilling UFC Co-Main Event Involving Former Champion Called Off After Star Contender Pulls ‘Out’ of Fight

The UFC Vegas 61 fight card took a hit as its co-main event, Cody Garbrandt vs Rani Yahya falls through. While the Brazilian had to pull out for an unknown reason, the UFC is looking for a short-notice replacement for the former bantamweight champion.

Fans were keen to see Garbrandt make a return to bantamweight and get back to winning ways against a considerably good matchup; however, to their disappointment, the bout couldn’t come to fruition.

MMA Journalist Marcel Dorff made the announcement over his social media. The journalist wrote, “🚨🚨BAD NEWS🚨🚨Got told Rani Yahya is OUT of his scheduled bout against Cody Garbrandt on October 1st. The UFC is looking for a replacement to keep ‘No Love’ on the #UFCVegas61 card.”

Moreover, this isn’t the first time that this fight has been canceled. Prior to UFC Vegas 61, the same bout was booked for UFC Vegas 58; however, Yahya had to pull out because of a neck injury. 

Was Rani Yahya a favorable match-up for Cody Garbrandt?

The fight has been booked twice and canceled both times, furthermore, for many ‘No Love’ fans, the bout seemed favorable since Yahya is not known to be a ‘power puncher’, and the American has had his chin touched a couple of times.

Yahya isn’t known for his power, however, his ground game is elite. The BJJ black belt has 21 out of his 28 victories by submission. The Brazilian had won four of his last five and was looking to extend his winning streak to three straight. His last 2 victories were over Ray Rodriguez and Kyung Ho Kang.

Garbrandt, on the other hand, has won just one bout out of his last six. His last victory came in June 2020 against Raphael Assuncao. The former bantamweight champ even tried his luck at flyweight but ended up facing a devastating knockout by the hands of Kai Kara-France. 

The UFC is now looking for a replacement to face Garbrandt, so for now, it’s safe to say that fans would see him compete at the event. The main event for UFC Vegas 61 is Mackenzie Dern vs Yan Xiaonan.

How important is a victory for Cody Garbrandt?

Cody Garbrandt came into the UFC as one of the most promising prospects the company had ever seen. His quick rise to glory saw him get a shot at the bantamweight title with just 5 fights in. 

‘No love’ became a champion of the division by defeating Dominick Cruz in a fashion no one had ever seen before. He was undefeated with a record of 11-0 when he won the belt.

However, that was when things turned south for the American. He lost his title to TJ Dillashaw via TKO and went on to get brutally knocked out in the next four of his five losses. 

WATCH THIS STORY: Cory Sandhagen vs Song Yadong Stats: Record, Reach, Height, Weight, and Knockout Ratio

Who do you think Garbrandt will face at UFC Vegas 61 now? Let us know.