UPDATE (Feb 13): UFC pulled Tresean Gore’s prelim fight against AJ Dobson from the UFC 298 card.
Damir Hadzovic and Tresean Gore have left UFC fight cards ahead of its two events this month.
First on the list is Hadzovic, whose UFC Vegas 86 removal was confirmed by the promotion itself. No other details were shared about the move, but the company said that it was due to visa-related issues. The fighter was supposed to face Bolaji Oki, but, fortunately, Timothy Cuamba stepped in to replace him in the card. Hadzovic confirmed the matter on his Instagram post.
“Unfortunately my fight is cancelled due to slow work-visa processing,” Hadzovic wrote. “Can’t even tell you how disappointed I am feeling, just bad luck, man. Hoping to get a new fight soon.”
The fight would have been Hadzovic’s comeback to the octagon after having his last in a UFC Fight Night event in the UK in July 2022. The match could have also been his chance to redeem himself after losing his previous fight to Marc Diakiese via unanimous decision.
Meanwhile, Gore shared his withdrawal from the UFC 298 this Wednesday, confirming an injury that prevented him from taking the fight. In his Instagram Stories, his doctor named multiple issues the fighter has. The fighter also expressed his frustration over the matter.
“Gutted posting this, but the UFC didn’t clear me to fight. I initially was gonna fight anyway, but my Coach made me (get) a MRI because he didn’t want me fighting with one Arm!” Gore wrote. “Man I don’t understand why some things happen, but it’s all on God’s time not mine! I will be back and when the time is Right, I will be P4P. I can’t allow injury’s to kill my dream!”
Gore was scheduled to meet AJ Dobson in the preliminary card of the event, but with his exit, the fellow fighter is left without a partner. It is currently unknown what UFC is planning to do with the remaining fighter.
