Putting together fights is sometimes a thankless job, often involving risks that could derail whole events. Just ask Dana White, the man who’s had to deal with more withdrawals and setbacks than perhaps any organizer out there, given the volume and scale of events he puts together. That’s the case for UFC 320, where rising Canadian bantamweight Serhiy Sidey has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Malcolm Wellmaker.

The pay-per-view card, set for November 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York and headlined by Jack Della Maddalena and Islam Makhachev, will now see Dana White and the promotion scramble for a replacement opponent to keep Wellmaker on the event roster.

Injury forces Serhiy Sidey out of UFC 322

Serhiy Sidey’s withdrawal is due to a painful shoulder dislocation sustained during training camp. The 29-year-old verified the news on Instagram, expressing sadness over the setback and apologizing to his opponent. “It’s heartbreaking to write this, but unfortunately I have to pull out of my fight Nov 15 for UFC 322 due to a brutal shoulder dislocation during practice,” Sidey wrote.

He further added, “I’ll do everything to heal quickly and be back as soon as I can.” The injury derails what was looking to be a promising year for the Canadian contender. Sidey (12-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC) had previously won a unanimous decision against Cameron Smotherman earlier in 2025, earning his second consecutive victory in the Octagon.

The fight with Wellmaker was supposed to be his opportunity to break into the top echelon of the bantamweight division. The 29-year-old’s journey to the UFC has been a steady climb through Canada’s regional scene, where he has won titles with BTC Fight Promotions and Battlefield Fight League. His UFC debut came through Dana White’s Contender Series, where a first-round finish of Ramon Tavares won him a contract from the head honcho, though the result did spark some controversy.

Tavares later avenged that loss with a split-decision win at UFC 297. Still, Sidey soon bounced back with back-to-back victories, regaining momentum before this sad injury halted his rise and made Dana White get back to his monthly ritual of finding fight replacements for an upcoming event. For now, Serhiy Sidey faces an extended recovery period, and fans will have to wait to see when the Ontarian makes his return to the octagon.

Undefeated Malcolm Wellmaker awaits a new opponent

While Serhiy Sidey begins rehabilitation, Malcolm Wellmaker is committed to remaining active. Since signing with the UFC through Dana White’s Contender Series last August, the 31-year-old American has emerged as one of the most promising newcomers in the bantamweight division. He has already had two dominant first-round stoppages in 2025, both of which resulted in post-fight bonuses, and has swiftly established himself as a fighter to watch.

Wellmaker had specifically requested a slot on the Madison Square Garden card after defeating Kris Moutinho at UFC on ESPN 69 in June. The showdown with Sidey was supposed to be his toughest test yet, but with the Canadian out, the UFC is seeking a suitable replacement. According to sources, Georgian fighter Otar Tanzilovi may be a potential replacement.

Otar Tanzilovi was previously scheduled to fight Wellmaker at UFC Atlanta in June, but he declined due to a knee injury. But now, it seems like the fighter is fully recovered and training in the United States alongside Merab Dvalishvili. So, from the looks of it, he might be the next in line to take the spot.

Whether the UFC finalizes that contest or finds another opponent, the setback is just another headache for UFC CEO Dana White, who will be desperate to keep one of the promotion’s rising stars on the Madison Square Garden event. For fans, it’s a momentary disappointment, but also an opportunity to see how quickly the UFC can pivot and keep the bantamweight spotlight shining brightly at UFC 322.