Nik Lentz Out of UFC 216 Due to Medical Issues, Bout vs. Will Brooks Canceled

Medical issues have forced Nik Lentz to withdraw from UFC 216, according to a statement from the Las Vegas-based promotion on Friday.

As a result, his lightweight clash with Will Brooks has been canceled. UFC 216 will proceed with 12 bouts, and a flyweight tilt pitting Marco Beltran against Matt Schnell has been moved from UFC Fight Pass to the FX-televised portion of the preliminary card.

The exact nature of Lentz’s medical issue was not disclosed by the promotion. “The Carny” did not appear at early weigh-ins on Friday. According to Combat Press, Lentz had issues with his weight cut.

An 18-time Octagon veteran, Lentz last appeared at UFC 208, where he dropped a unanimous decision to Islam Makhachev on Feb. 11. The 33-year-old Minnesota native has competed at both lightweight and featherweight in the UFC.

Brooks, meanwhile, tipped the scales at 156 pounds. The former Bellator MMA champion has dropped consecutive fights to Alex Oliveira and Charles Oliveira after winning his Octagon debut against Ross Pearson.