Michael Chiesa Suffers Illness, Bout with Marcus LeVesseur Removed from UFC on Fox 5 Lineup

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An undisclosed illness has forced “The Ultimate Fighter 15” winner Michael Chiesa out of his UFC on Fox 5 bout with Marcus LeVesseur.

UFC officials recently announced Chiesa’s withdrawal from the lightweight scrap, but with just six days remaining until the event, a replacement opponent for LeVesseur was not named. The fight was one of six prelims expected to air on FX.

UFC on Fox 5 takes place at KeyArena in Seattle on Saturday and is headlined by a lightweight title clash between Benson Henderson and Nate Diaz. Also featured on the card is a key light heavyweight showdown between Alexander Gustafsson and Mauricio Rua and a welterweight matchup between Rory MacDonald and B.J. Penn.

Chiesa, 24, hasn’t competed since submitting Al Iaquinta in the first round at “TUF 15” Finale in June. “Maverick” is unbeaten in eight professional outings, with six of those victories coming by way of submission.

A four-time NCAA Division III national champion wrestler, LeVesseur fell victim to a Cody McKenzie guillotine choke in his Octagon debut at UFC on Fuel TV 3. The Minnesota Fight Factory representative rebounded in his second appearance, taking a split verdict over Carlo Prater in October.