The UFC’s final main event of the decade has taken a hit.
Brian Ortega, who was scheduled to fight Chan Sung Jung on Dec. 21 in Busan, South Korea, has been forced to withdraw from the featherweight headliner due to an undisclosed injury, multiple sources told ESPN. Ortega is expected to be out of action for approximately two to three months, sources say.
It’s unclear at this time who, if anyone, will replace Ortega. Sources say the promotion is working to keep Jung, nicknamed “The Korean Zombie,” on the card considering his popularity in his home country of South Korea, however, a replacement opponent has not been finalized just yet.
Ortega (14-1-1) hasn’t fought since last December when he lost a featherweight title fight to Max Holloway. Over the past year, he’s dealt with multiple hand, nose and foot injuries, which have kept him sidelined.
Jung (15-5) is coming off a 58-second TKO victory over Renato Moicano in June. He hasn’t fought in South Korea since 2008, three years prior to joining the UFC.