Tyson Pedro Withdraws From UFC Auckland
Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight Tyson Pedro has been forced to pull out of his bout in New Zealand in February.
On Thursday, Pedro (7-3) announced on his Instagram that he will no longer be competing at UFC Auckland against Vinicius Moreira Castro (9-4) due to an injury. The event will take place at the Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, on Feb. 22. A replacement has not yet been named.
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"Peaks and Valleys
Just when you think everything is going to your plan something hits you upside the head with a different one. Out of the fight in Feb, I'm gutted but thank you for all the messages. I'm not stressed as I know I'm coming back, I've never stopped before, so I'm not going to now. Every time I've messed up in life, been injured or blind[sided], something good came out from it, that I couldn't see at the time. So until then, it's all smiles and time to grind again. A massive positive was being able to connect and train with the boys down @citykickboxing thanks for having my family come through and showing us love. I’m praying for good news from the surgeon and a quick turnaround #hopeforthebestplanfortheworst #1yearrecovery2weekcamp #ifnotmethenwho"
Pedro has not stepped inside the Octagon since a knockout loss to Mauricio Rua at UFC Fight Night 142 in December 2018. Pedro was already on the shelf for the entirety of 2019 to recover from a knee injury he suffered against "Shogun." The Aussie was looking to bounce back from a two-fight stoppage skid, as he previously dropped a bout to Ovince St. Preux by submission in June 2018 as well. Making his promotional debut in 2016 unbeaten at 4-0, Pedro finished Khalil Rountree and Paul Craig each in the opening round to earn a bout with former top-15 contender Ilir Latifi. Pedro has lost three of his last four dating to his meeting with Latifi, as the Swede ended his undefeated streak by decision.
Moreira has yet to prevail in the UFC, suffering three first-round stoppage losses in his tenure with the Las Vegas-based promotion to date. Earning a spot on the roster by tapping John Allan Arte on the Brazilian edition of Dana White's Contender Series in 2018, all nine of Moreira's career wins have come by stoppage. His four defeats have also come inside the distance, with the Brazilian never competing beyond the second round.
UFC Auckland will go down on Feb. 22 at the Spark Arena in Auckland, New Zealand, where it will be headlined by a lightweight scrap between Paul Felder and Dan Hooker. Additionally, at least seven other fighters from the Oceania region will compete against foreign adversaries on this card.
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