Thiago Alves Withdraws from UFC Fight Night 116 Co-Main Event Bout vs. Mike Perry

UFC Fight Night 116 could be down one marquee bout unless the promotion is able to find a short-notice opponent for Mike Perry.

Thiago Alves, Perry’s original foe, was forced to withdraw from Saturday’s event for undisclosed reasons. MMAjunkie.com was first to report the news. A replacement opponent for Perry is currently being sought.

UFC Fight Night 116 takes place at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh and is headlined by a middleweight tilt between former champ Luke Rockhold and David Branch. The card airs on Fox Sports 1 following one early prelim on UFC Fight Pass.

A former welterweight title challenger, Alves is coming off a unanimous verdict over Patrick Cote at UFC 210. Perry has won three of his first four Octagon appearances – all by knockout or technical knockout.