Bantamweight champion Joshua Van has pulled out of the co-main event at UFC 327 in Miami. The title fight against Tatsuro Taira is not canceled — it will be moved to UFC 328 in Newark on May 9 after a minor injury to Van.
What happened
Van, 24, was scheduled to defend his 135-pound title against Tatsuro Taira on April 11 at UFC 327 in Miami, Florida. The fight has been postponed because Van suffered a minor injury. The UFC and the team around Van expect a short recovery, so the bout has been rebooked for UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey.
Changes to UFC 327 card
With the bantamweight title fight removed, the UFC shuffled the main card order at UFC 327. Paulo Costa vs. Azamat Murzakanov is now the co-main event. That fight will lead into the main event, which remains the vacant light heavyweight title bout between Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg.
The reshuffle also opens a spot on the preliminary card. The lightweight matchup between Cub Swanson and Nate Landwehr will move up to the main card as the opening bout. Other scheduled main card fights include Curtis Blaydes vs. Josh Hokit and Dominick Reyes vs. Johnny Walker.
UFC 328 gains a second title fight
UFC 328 now features two title fights. Van vs. Taira will serve as an added 135-pound title fight on the May 9 card. It will support the already scheduled middleweight title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.
The rest of UFC 328’s main card includes Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley, and King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens. Former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz’s bout against Bogdan Guskov has been moved down to the prelims.
Notes and next steps
The injury to Van is described as minor, so fight fans can expect the champion and Taira to meet in Newark if both fighters remain healthy in the coming weeks. Fighters on both cards will continue training and making weight as the UFC updates any further changes.
All scheduling and venue details: UFC 327 is set for April 11 in Miami, Florida. UFC 328 will take place on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey.
Report by UFCcoverage.
