UFC 287 loses massive welterweight matchup to injury

The UFC 287 card recently suffered a huge blow with less than two weeks left before fight night.

A welterweight matchup between perennial contenders Li Jingliang and Michael Chiesa has fallen through due to an injury. Jingliang initially announced on the Chinese social media platform Douyin that he won't make it against Chiesa on April 8 due to a spine injury that could require surgery.

Li Jingliang announced on a social media platform, (Chinese version of TikTok) that he has suffered a spine injury and is out of his scheduled UFC 287 fight against Michael Chiesa
He may require surgery , but unknown yet https://t.co/neXahKUYx8

It remains unclear whether Chiesa has found a replacement for the UFC 287 fight card. 'Maverick' hasn't competed in a year and a half and will be looking to bounce back from a two-fight skid when he does. Meanwhile, Li Jingliang is coming off a controversial split decision loss against Daniel Rodriguez in September, making it three losses in five outings for 'The Leech'.

The Chinese standout was originally scheduled to face Tony Ferguson at UFC 279 but was handed the worst deal in a last-minute reshuffling due to Khamzat Chimaev's massive weight miss.

The UFC 287 card looks like this after the recent cancelation:

Alex Pereira vs. Israel Adesanya – for middleweight title

Gilbert Burns vs. Jorge Masvidal

Rob Font vs. Adrian Yanez

Christian Rodriguez vs. Raul Rosas Jr.

Kevin Holland vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio

Chris Curtis vs. Kelvin Gastelum

Michael Chiesa vs. TBA

Gerald Meerschaert vs. Joseph Pyfer

Cynthia Calvillo vs. Lupita Godinez

Luana Pinheiro vs. Michelle Waterson-Gomez

Steve Garcia vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke

Chris Barnett vs. Chase Sherman

Ignacio Bahamondes vs. TBA

Jaqueline Amorim vs. Sam Hughes