A rollercoaster of events unfolded in the lead-up to UFC Nashville’s main event. The highly anticipated showdown between Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov was the talk of the town. However, just days before the epic clash, fate had other plans.

The excitement turned to concern when news broke that Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s cousin had suffered a shoulder injury, forcing him to withdraw from the fight. The sudden withdrawal of this promising Dagestani fighter disappointed the UFC community, leaving the #4 bantamweight stalwart without an opponent and casting doubts on the event’s headlining bout. Nevertheless, the promotion managed to fill the void to deliver an exciting fight card to the fans by securing a new opponent for ‘Sandman’.

Cory Sandhagen finds a new opponent on short notice

Rob Font has stepped up to the plate to replace the injured Umar Nurmagomedov and face the former UFC bantamweight title challenger, Cory Sandhagen. Intriguingly enough, Font, too, was without an opponent on this card.

Font was touted to take on Song Yadong at UFC 292 in Boston. However, that fight faced its own challenges from occurring, when Yadong withdrew from their bout for undisclosed reasons.

Read more: Hours After Brawl, Conor McGregor Insults Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Family After Targeting Younger Cousin Umar for Pulling Out of Cory Sandhagen UFC Fight

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However, Font’s disappointment quickly turned into an unexpected opportunity when the UFC approached him to take on Sandhagen as the new headliner for the Fight Night event in Nashville.

Sandhagen vs. Font at catchweight

Both fighters are looking to climb up the bantamweight rankings, with Sandhagen currently ranked No. 4 and Font ranked No. 7. The stakes are high for both contenders, as a victory could propel them towards a title shot in the competitive 135-pound division.

However, according to ESPN, the fight will take place at a catchweight of 140 pounds, adding a layer of intrigue to this already highly-anticipated matchup. The Bridgestone Arena will witness an electrifying clash on August 5, 2023, as these two warriors go head-to-head in a five-round contest that promises to be thrilling.

What are your thoughts on Rob Font replacing Umar Nurmagomedov in UFC Nashville? And whom are you leaning toward in Sandhagen vs. Font? Let us know in the comments below.

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