Nicco Montano and Valentina Shevchenko Won’t Fight In The Co-Main Event Of UFC 228!
The first UFC Flyweight title defense was slated for the co-main event of UFC 228 tomorrow. Unfortunately, the fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Nicco Montano won’t happen!
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto first reported the news:
Nicco Montaño will not fight at UFC 228 tomorrow, after being hospitalized this morning. Valentina Shevchenko just made weight in Dallas, but I’m told the co-main event is off.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) September 7, 2018
Then Ariel Helwani:
Valentina Shevchenko will not fight tomorrow, per multiple sources. Second time in a little over a year she sees a title fight get canceled hours before the event (UFC 213).
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 7, 2018
Nicco Montano is hospitalized! According to Montano’s team, she had to stop weight cut process due to kidney issues. (via MMAFighting.com)
“She will be fine in a few days. The UFC medical team was called in to evaluate her this morning during the process of her weight cut. They determined that she had to cease cutting weight and be transported to and treated at the local hospital for issues regarding her kidney function.”
For now, Valentina “The Bullet” Shevchenko is also removed from the event. It is unknown at the moment whether The Peruvian superstar will be on the main card.
Nicco Montano was promoted to the UFC Flyweight champion at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale, on December 1, 2017. She defeated Roxanne Modafferi via unanimous decision. The Bullet defeated Priscila Cachoeira via rear-naked choke at UFC Fight Night 125 on February 3, 2018, and earned the place in a title match.
It looks like UFC should do something to prevent dangerous weight cuts. More and more fighters withdraw due to medical complications. We wish Nicco Montano a quick recovery!