5 times the UFC had to replace a main event on late notice

Due to the nature of the sport of MMA, the UFC often has to deal with last-minute card changes, with injuries, visa issues and the like being commonplace. However, it is relatively rare for a main event to fall apart with just days to go.

When this does happen, the promotion is forced to scramble and find a replacement bout. Sometimes, they will find someone to step in on short notice to face the remaining fighter, as was the case in Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Al Iaquinta at UFC 223.

In other cases, they are forced to scrap the main event entirely and promote a new fight as the headline bout. In the following list, we break down five occasions where the promotion had to replace a main event on late notice.

#5. Johnny Walker vs. Jamahal Hill - UFC Vegas 48

The most recent example of the original main event being scrapped took place at UFC Vegas 48. Lightweights Rafael dos Anjos and Rafael Fiziev were set to face off in a classic veteran vs. rising prospect matchup.

Your Rafael dos Anjos Vs Rafael Fiziev poster has officially dropped! 💥

#UFC | #MMA https://t.co/ilVUxOKBS2

However, Fiziev had visa issues that forced the bout to be rescheduled for a later date. This resulted in the co-main event between light heavyweights Johnny Walker and Jamahal Hill being bumped up to the headlining fight.

Hill would dispatch Walker in the first round, picking up a highlight-reel finish and forcing his way into the top 10 of the division. The high profile nature of the Walker win will likely see him face a top ranked opponent next, possibly in yet another main event bout.