Overview

• Brazilian reporter Laerte Viana first reported Mohammed Usman’s injury withdrawal from his bout with Valter Walker, and the cancellation was later corroborated by MMA outlets.
• The heavyweight matchup—billed as a meeting of Johnny Walker’s and Kamaru Usman’s brothers—was scrapped just two days before Saturday’s UFC Rio event at Farmasi Arena.
• UFC officials are attempting to secure a replacement opponent to keep Walker competing, and the Brazilian has signaled he wants to remain on the card.
• Walker’s recent run made him the first UFC fighter to win three straight bouts by heel-hook submission, and a fourth consecutive finish was in play if he fought in Rio.
• The rest of the event is still scheduled for Oct. 11, headlined by Charles Oliveira vs. Mateusz Gamrot with Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Montel Jackson as the co-main.