Informed sources close to the situation report that Julio Arce, who was supposed to share the octagon with Garbrandt on March 4 at UFC 285 in Las Vegas, was injured and dropped out of the numbered event.
At the moment, the matchmakers of the organization are trying to find a new opponent for the ex-champion.
31-year-old Cody Garbrandt is on a two-fight streak after losing a unanimous decision to Rob Font in 2021 and a flyweight TKO to Kai Cara-France. Last year, the American was scheduled to fight Rani Yaya twice, but the Brazilian was eliminated both times with an injury.
The fight between Garbrandt and Arce was scheduled to be part of the main card of the tournament, which will headline a bout for the vacant UFC heavyweight championship between Jon Jones and Cyril Gun.