UFC 213 Bantamweight Championship Headliner Scrapped Due to Amanda Nunes Illness

The UFC 213 card has been dealt a devastating blow on the day of the event.

According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Amanda Nunes has been forced to pull out of Saturday’s bantamweight championship headliner against Valentina Shevchenko due to an undisclosed illness. Further details were not immediately available.

Nunes made weight without issue on Friday, tipping the scales at 135 pounds for her second title defense. “Lioness” last appeared at UFC 207 on Dec. 30, when she knocked out Ronda Rousey in 48 seconds. Nunes and Shevchenko first squared off at UFC 196, with the Brazilian winning a unanimous decision. It is unclear when the Las Vegas-based promotion might rebook the rematch.

The UFC later confirmed Nunes' withdrawal on Saturday, and as a result, the interim middleweight championship bout between Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker has been elevated to the main event. Additionally, a bantamweight clash pitting Rob Font against Douglas Silva de Andrade has been promoted to the pay-per-view card.

According to a UFC release, customers may request a full refund of their ticket purchase at the point of sale due to the removal of the evening's headliner.