Michael Bisping Withdraws from UFC 193, Whittaker Now Faces Hall on Nov. 14

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Michael Bisping needs surgery on his elbow and has withdrawn from his UFC 193 bout against Robert Whittaker.

Bisping revealed the injury during UFC tonight on Wednesday. The promotion announced late Wednesday night that Uriah Hall would replace Bisping and face Whittaker at the event. UFC 193 takes place at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on Nov. 14 and is headlined by a bantamweight title clash between Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm.

“I’m having to withdraw from UFC 193. I need to have elbow surgery. It’s a minor surgery,” said Bisping, who expects to be out for a few weeks. “I’m sorry to everyone who bought tickets and sorry to my opponent Robert Whittaker.”

“The Count” has won three of his last four fights in the Octagon, including a split-decision triumph over Thales Leites in his most recent appearance at UFC Fight Night on July 18. The 36-year-old Englishman should not be lacking for potential opponents when he returns, as Lyoto Machida recently expressed an interest in fighting Bisping, while Anderson Silva said he thinks he is facing “The Ultimate Fighter 3” veteran in April on a card in Curitiba, Brazil.

Hall, meanwhile, is coming off a spectacular second-round stoppage of Gegard Mousasi at UFC Fight Night in Japan this past Saturday. "The Ultimate Fighter 17" finalist has won five of his last six bouts. Whittaker has won three straight contests inside the Octagon, including a 44-second knockout of Brad Tavares in May.