Carlos Ulberg out of UFC 303 bout with Anthony Smith
UFC 303 has been shaken up again as short-notice replacement fighter Anthony Smith now needs another short-notice replacement to remain on the card.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that Carlos Ulberg has been scratched from his scheduled June 29 pay-per-view matchup with the one-time title challenger for undisclosed reasons. Benny P on Twitter first reported Ulberg’s withdrawal.
Smith is expected to remain on the card, and as of right now, the frontrunner to replace Ulberg is ranked middleweight contender Roman Dolidze. MMA Fighting confirmed with sources with knowledge of the change that the potential matchup is being discussed, but it has not been finalized.
“Lionheart” stepped in on just over two weeks’ notice to fight Ulberg, replacing an injured Jamahal Hill. Smith is coming off of a big upset submission win over the previously undefeated Vitor Petrino at UFC 301 in May.
Originally, Hill was scheduled to fight Khalil Rountree, but Ulberg was called in as a replacement when Rountree was pulled from the fight after a positive drug test. Now all three men are off the June 29 card.
UFC 303 is headlined by a light heavyweight championship rematch between Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka.