Jessica Penne has been forced to withdraw from UFC Vegas 61 because of illness

Jessica Penne’s UFC run has hit another bump in the road.

At the start of Friday’s official weigh-ins for UFC Vegas 61, commentator Jon Anik announced that the 16-year veteran has been forced to withdraw from Saturday’s strawweight bout with Tabatha Ricci due to an illness.

MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck talked to Penne’s Manager, and he clarified that Penne’s illness was not due to a weight loss :

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“She arrived at the clinic with a bad feeling and was unable to get through the week. However, her symptoms worsened and she was diagnosed with bronchitis. She’s in the clinic now getting a final diagnosis.”

It is unknown if the fight will be rescheduled, or if fighters will get new opponents for the next assignment.

One-time UFC champion, Penne has been subject to multiple cancellations, opponent changes, and even her withdrawal from two bookings with Luana Pinheiro. In her most recent fight at UFC on ABC 3 this past July, she lost a unanimous decision to Emily Ducote, who was a replacement for Brianna Fortino.

Ricci sought her third consecutive win in 2022. “Baby Shark” is coming off of back-to-back wins over Polyana Viana and Maria Oliveira.