Derrick Lewis will not compete at UFC Edmonton, resulting in the cancellation of his highly anticipated matchup against Jhonata Diniz, scheduled for Saturday night at Rogers Place. UFC officials confirmed that Lewis’s withdrawal stems from a non-weight cut-related medical issue, which has sidelined him ahead of the event.
Although Derrick Lewis successfully weighed in at the official weigh-ins on Friday morning, he did not appear at the ceremonial weigh-ins later in the day, leading to concerns regarding his readiness for the fight. Hours after fans noted his absence, the UFC officially announced Derrick Lewis’s removal from the card, leaving Diniz without an opponent.
This development is particularly disappointing for Derrick Lewis, who was eager to build on his recent victory over Rodrigo Nascimento in May. In that fight, Lewis extended his record for the most knockouts in UFC history to an impressive 15. His withdrawal marks a setback for the heavyweight contender as he seeks to climb the rankings.
For Diniz, the cancellation is a missed opportunity to face a seasoned veteran and former title challenger in Derrick Lewis. Diniz had been making a name for himself in the UFC, starting his career with two consecutive victories and maintaining a perfect overall record of 8-0.
Despite the setback, UFC Edmonton will proceed with 13 bouts on the card. A flyweight matchup between Canada’s Jasmine Jasudavicius and Ariane da Silva is expected to fill the vacant spot on the main card, ensuring that fans still have plenty of action to look forward to.
