1 week Ago By Jamie Theodosi
UFC 309 fight week has been one of the most hectic in recent memory with several last-minute changes affecting the card. Covered in controversy, UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones is set to defend his heavyweight title for the first time this evening at UFC 309 , when he takes on Stipe Miocic in the main event. With the promotion returning to Madison Square Garden, the rest of the card is filled with blockbuster fights between contenders and includes several former champions.
Chris Weidman vs Eryk Anders canceled due to last minute medical issues One former champion who was scheduled to compete on the UFC 309 undercard was former middleweight champion, Chris Weidman . Weidman was scheduled to take on Eryk Anders on the prelims, however, just hours before their fight, the UFC broadcast team announced that due to medical issues on the side of Anders, the bout has been canceled. It is unconfirmed what the extent of Anders’ medical issue is, however, Chael Sonnen claimed on the UFC Fight Pass broadcast that it is due to something Anders ate.
“One bit of not-so-great news, due to a medical issue involving Eryk Anders, his middleweight prelim with Chris Weidman is now off,” Jon Anik informed the fans on the UFC Fight Pass Prelims. “Urgh, that’s a bummer for Weidman because, you know, Weidman’s comeback has been so brutal and so hard, he’s gone through 30 surgeries to get where he is now and for him the day of the fight to have it called off, it’s terrible,” Joe Rogan continued. Weidman, who was born in New York, was hoping to score his first UFC win in New York after being unsuccessful on two previous occasions.
‘The All-American’ won his last outing in a controversial win against Bruno Silva following several eye-pokes and he was hopeful of scoring back-to-back wins for the first time since 2015. LIVE: Stream information, start time, updates and results as Jon Jones takes on Stipe Miocic in heavyweight title fight Chris Weidman provides an update following the cancelation With this being Weidman’s first fight in New York since 2018, the former champion had many friends and family ready to attend his homecoming fight. Speaking on his social media after finding out that his fight wouldn’t be going ahead, Weidman emotionally admitted that his ‘head is spinning’ and he was minutes away from leaving his hotel to go to the arena.
“Hey what’s going on guys, unfortunately, I just got a phone call from Hunter Campbell that my fight with Eryk Anders is off, Eryk apparently got sick and is not going to be able to fight,” Weidman began to explain. “I am super bummed out, I felt so good for this fight, I was so ready, my head is spinning right now that this is happening, I was about to walk to the arena, just said the prayers with my family. Yeah, just felt so good and I was so excited to put on a show at Madison Square Garden, I am so gutted,” Weidman continued.
PREDICTIONS: Jon Jones vs Stipe Miocic: Bloody Elbow predictions see staff all agree on UFC 309 main event winner.
