The UFC’s long-awaited return to Iowa has seen the fighter drop as both fighters retreated due to injuries due to a planned mild heavyweight collision.
On Tuesday, the promotion announced that a 205-pound match between Junior Tafa and Tokotoccos has been out of the docket at Wells Fargo Arena due to injuries to both fighters. No details regarding the injury have been made public and it is expected that if both athletes go, they will rebook the fight at a later date.
Tafa had been filming two fight skids since his second TKO victory against Sean Sharaf this October. Meanwhile, Tokkos made a unanimous decision to Navajo Stirling at UFC Tampa in December.
UFC Des Moines boasts several big names
The fight card advances in 12 matches in the evening headliner, headlined by a featherweight showdown between Cory Sandhagen and Deveson Figure Aid.
In the co-main event, former two-division One World champion Reinier de Ridder will seek a third consecutive victory within the Octagon against former Nittany Lion and undefeated overall fighter Bo Nickal.
Finishing the card is former Milecic fighting system standout Jeremy Stevens, one-time UFC bantamweight champion Mieschatate, and submission specialist Gillian Robertson. Please see the full fight card below.
Main Card (ESPN 2 and ESPN + 10pm ET)
- Cory Sandhagen vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
- Reinier de Ridder vs. Bo Nickal
- Daniel Rodriguez vs. Santiago Ponzinibio
- Montel Jackson vs. Daniel Marcos
- Cameron Smotherman vs. Serei Sidey
- Jeremy Stevens vs Mason Jones
Spare card (ESPN + 7pm ET)
- Miesha Tate vs. Yana Santos
- Ryan Lauder vs. Azamato Bekoyev
- Marina Rodriguez vs. Gillian Robertson
- Gaston Bolanos vs. Quang Le
- Dotale Mayes vs. Thomas Petersen
- Juliana Miller vs. Ivana Petrovich
The card that is subject to change.