Diego Sanchez Withdraws from UFC on ESPN 24 Matchup with Donald Cerrone

UFC on ESPN 24 has taken another hit, as Diego Sanchez is out of a proposed welterweight clash with Donald Cerrone.

A reason for Sanchez’s withdraw is currently unknown. Carlos Contreras Legaspi first brought word of Sanchez’s exit on Twitter. It’s the second significant loss for the card in the span of a couple days: A cut in training forced T.J. Dillashaw to pull out of the main event against Cory Sandhagen. That bout will be rescheduled, and a women’s strawweight clash pitting Michelle Waterson against Marina Rodriguez has been targeted as the new headliner.

Sanchez and Cerrone previously trained at Jackson-Wink MMA in Albuquerque, and tensions flared between the two when Sanchez took coach Mike Winkeljohn’s side when “Cowboy” left the gym prior to a bout against Mike Perry. Sanchez is no longer at Jackson-Wink, either.

According to multiple reports, a replacement opponent for Cerrone is being sought.

UFC on ESPN 24 takes place on May 8 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and in addition to the Waterson-Rodriguez headliner, features a welterweight showdown between Geoff Neal and Neil Magny.