John Lineker Out of Jimmie Rivera Bout at UFC 219 Due to Tooth Infection

UFC 219 has lost a crucial bout.

Heavy-hitting Brazilian John Lineker has pulled out of his slated Saturday bout with rising bantamweight contender Jimmie Rivera. MMAJunkie was first to report the change on Sunday evening.

MMAFighting subsequently reported that a tooth infection was behind Lineker’s pull out. The promotion is actively looking for a replacement.

UFC 219 takes place Dec. 30 from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Lineker, 27, has spent much of 2017 on the shelf due to a broken jaw suffered in his unanimous decision loss to former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 207 on Dec. 30 of last year. “Hands of Stone" has gone 11-3 under UFC employ.

Rivera has gone 5-0 in his UFC tenure, taking unanimous decision victories over Urijah Faber and Thomas Almeida in his last two outings. The New Jersey native has won 20 consecutive pro MMA bouts dating back to 2009.