According to a report from Brazilian media outlet Combate, Edgar suffered a “facial injury” in training and will need surgery, forcing him to withdraw from the UFC 218 headliner against reigning 145-pound king Max Holloway. Multiple outlets have since confirmed Edgar’s exit from the bout. The UFC is reportedly looking for a replacement opponent for Holloway.
UFC 218 takes place at Little Caesar’s Arena in Detroit on Dec. 2 and also features a key heavyweight showdown between Alistair Overeem and Francis Ngannou in the evening’s co-main event.
The 36-year-old Edgar has won seven of his last eight UFC appearances and is coming off back-to-back triumphs over Yair Rodriguez and Jeremy Stephens. “The Answer” has twice challenged for 145-pound gold, losing a five-round verdict to Jose Aldo at UFC 200 for the interim strap and another five-round decision to Aldo for the undisputed belt at UFC 156.
Holloway, meanwhile, won the interim crown with a third-round TKO of Anthony Pettis at UFC 206 before stopping Aldo in the third frame at UFC 212 to unify the title.