UFC 316 loses welterweight bout after fighter withdraws due to health issues

UFC 316 has experienced a minor shakeup with the event a little over one week away.

Uros Medic announced Thursday via Instagram that he has pulled out of his welterweight bout against Khaos Williams, which was to take place on June 7 at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. The fighter cited health issues as the reason for his withdrawal as he has been battling a sinus infection.

Read Medic’s statement below.

Hey everyone

I wanted to share that my team and I had to make the tough decision to withdraw from my upcoming fight due to some health issues I’ve been dealing with behind the scenes.

I’ve been battling a stubborn sinus infection that affected my training breathing and recovery, that eventually had to be treated with antibiotics.

It wasn’t an easy call to make, but out of respect for the sport, my team, and you guys, I know this is the right move.

I’ll be back as soon as I’m fully healthy.

Both Medic and Williams were aiming to bounce back from poor starts to their 2025 campaigns. Medic (10-3) suffered a 31-second knockout at the hands of Punahele Soriano this past January, while Williams (15-4) saw a two-fight win streak snapped when he was submitted by Gabriel Bonfim in February.

In a strange twist, UFC newcomer Albert Tadevosyan (13-3-1) was expected to step in to replace Medic to fight Williams, according to a report by Eurosport later confirmed by MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck. However, on Friday , Tadevosyan announced via Instagram he will not be fighting on June 7 after all due to an issue with completing his physicals.

See Tadevosyan’s message below.

It is not yet known if officials will try again to find a new opponent for Williams.

UFC 316 is headlined by a pair of title fights, as men’s bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili defends his title in a rematch against Sean O’Malley in the main event, and Julianna Peña defends her women’s bantamweight title against Kayla Harrison in the co-main event.