This Saturday’s Middleweight contest at UFC 205 between Tim Kennedy and Rashad Evans is off.
First reported by ESPN.com and later confirmed by Ariel Helwani at MMAFighting.com, 37-year-old Evans has been pulled from the fight by the New York State Athletic Commission as a precautionary measure to an undisclosed medical issue which has arose during testing.
Although there has been no official word from the UFC on the situation, Kennedy has taken matters into his own hands on finding out he was without an opponent when he arrived in New York.
The former Green Beret, also 37-years-old, has immediately started calling out the biggest names in the division incuding Middleweight champ Michael Bisping on Twitter and is seemingly determined to still be a part of the landmark event this weekend.
Just landed in New York. It sounds like my fight with @SugaRashadEvans is off. I do not have official word. #ufc205
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 8, 2016
@SpiderAnderson was curious if you had any plans November 12? Want to meet me in New York at Madison Square Garden?
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 8, 2016
@nickdiaz209 UFC 205 might need your help. Not sure if you want to come to New York this weekend. I heard somebody needs an opponent…
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 8, 2016
@bisping I heard you were going to be in New York are at Madison Square Garden for UFC 205. Feel like trying to redeem a beatdown you got?
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 8, 2016
@JacareMMA I’m pretty sure I beat you the last time we fought. It was a split decision. A gift. Want to go again? #UFCNYC #ufc205
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 8, 2016
With the UFC’s Middleweight division currently in chaos and with many fighters staking a claim to the contender spot, it will be interesting to watch this situation develop and if anyone will step up on four days notice. The world awaits.