Marlon Vera Suffers Illness, Bout vs. Frankie Saenz Removed from UFC 235 Card

A proposed bantamweight clash between Marlon Vera and Frankie Saenz has been removed from Saturday’s UFC 235 card.

Promotion officials announced Wednesday that the bout was scrapped due to an illness suffered by Vera. As a result, UFC 235 will proceed with 12 bouts. Vera vs. Saenz was scheduled for the UFC Fight Pass portion of the prelims.

Vera entered the matchup on a two-fight winning streak after scoring finishes of Guido Cannetti and Wuliji Buren in his final two UFC appearances of 2018. The Ecuadorian fighter is 6-4 during his Octagon tenure.

Saenz had also won his last two bouts, earn a split verdict over Merab Dvalishvili at UFC Fight Night 123 before outpointing Enrique Briones at UFC Fight Night 129.

UFC 235 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and is headlined by a light heavyweight title tilt between Jon Jones and Anthony Smith. In the co-main event, Tyron Woodley will defend the welterweight strap against Kamaru Usman. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and Fight Pass.