Jingliang Li Withdraws from UFC 287 Due to Back Injury

Jingliang Li has been forced to withdraw from UFC 287 after suffering a back injury.

“The Leech” initially announced the news on Chinese social media platform Douyin, and it was subsequently confirmed by MMAjunkie.com. Li was supposed to face Michael Chiesa in a welterweight bout on the April 8 card in Miami. It is currently unclear if Chiesa will remain on the card against a replacement opponent.

Li fought twice in 2022, earning a second-round technical knockout victory against Muslim Salikhov at UFC on ABC 3 before dropping a split decision to Daniel Rodriguez in his most recent appearance at UFC 279 this past September. “The Leech” is 11-6 over the course of a promotional tenure that began in 2014.

Chiesa didn’t compete at all last year after ending his 2021 campaign with consecutive losses to Vicente Luque and Sean Brady. “The Ultimate Fighter 15” winner is 11-6 in the Octagon since joining the UFC in 2012.

UFC 287 takes place at Miami Dade Arena in Miami, Fla., and is headlined by a middleweight title rematch between Alex Pereira and Israel Adesanya.