Paige VanZant

By FCF Staff

UFC 216 will no longer feature Paige VanZant’s first bout this year, as the promotion’s announced she’s been forced out of a scheduled fight with Jessica Eye.

VanZant was scheduled to compete for the first time since December, 2016, when she was choked out by Michelle Waterson. The UFC’s announcement regarding her withdrawal did not disclose why she’s no longer fighting, but MMA Fighting’s reporting that a back injury is behind VanZant’s removal.

The announcement did not say if the UFC is looking for a replacement opponent for Eye, who also hasn’t fought this year. Eye’s last bout took place in September, 2016, when she lost via split decision to bantamweight, Bethe Correia.

UFC 216 will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 7th.