Next months UFC 244 main event could be in jeopardy after headliner Nate Diaz sent out a tweet stating that he is off the event due to the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). There has been no official announcement yet by the UFC about the main event of UFC 244, but the promotion reportedly had a replacement fighter waiting in the wings.
Chisanga Malata of DExpress Sport and Daily Star Sport reports that Leon Edwards has been paid by the UFC to complete a training camp so he can step in at UFC 244 in case either Diaz or Masvidal had to be pulled from their bout. It is also unknown at this time if the BMF Title will get awarded to the winner of the potential new main event of UFC 244.
Edwards has yet to comment on the situation, but has a long standing rivalry with Masvidal after the two had a backstage altercation at UFC Fight Night London.
The reported replacement in Edwards posted the following on Twitter after the above story came out:
Bad news Regarding Nate, I did offer when the fight was made to stay ready but the UFC unfortunately said no. So I won't be making the trip to NYC. But I will be ready for December 14th
— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) October 25, 2019
UFC 244 takes place on Saturday, November 2 from Madison Square Garden in New York, New York with Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal headlining. Fightful is going to be providing live coverage of the event, with a post-show podcast to follow.
