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Carlos Ulberg has withdrawn from UFC 303 fight against Anthony Smith, according to report
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    Carlos Ulberg has withdrawn from UFC 303 fight against Anthony Smith, according to report

    UFC 303 has undergone yet another setback to its main card.

    A light-heavyweight bout between Carlos Ulberg and Anthony Smith that was put together on short notice just last week is no longer happening.

    Ulberg has withdrawn from the June 29 event, according to multiple outlets after an initial report from Australian MMA reporter Benny P on X. The reason for Ulberg’s withdrawal was not disclosed. Ulberg (10-1) was riding a six-fight winning streak and made quick work of Alonzo Menifield in May before he initially accepted the fight with Smith.

    Smith is coming off an upset win at UFC 301 in May, when he defeated the previously unbeaten Vitor Petrino via first-round guillotine-choke submission.

    According to Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting, the 35-year-old Smith is hoping to remain on the card and current No. 10-ranked middleweight contender Roman Dolidze is a possible option to take the matchup up a division on roughly one week’s notice.

    This 205-pound matchup, which currently is Smith vs. TBD, originally began as Jamahal Hill vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., was changed to Hill vs. Ulberg after Rountree tested positive for a banned substance, then it became Smith vs. Ulberg when Smith stepped in on short notice after Hill sustained an injury.

    UFC 303 was originally supposed to be headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Michael Chandler, but the UFC pivoted and named Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka the new main event and added a Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes co-main event to supplement the Las Vegas card taking place at T-Mobile Arena during International Fight Week.

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    New Zealand MMA fighter Carlos Ulberg has reportedly withdrawn from his upcoming UFC 303 fight against Anthony Smith. The news comes as a disappointment to fans who were eagerly anticipating the matchup between these two talented fighters.

    Ulberg, who is known for his striking abilities and impressive record in the ring, was set to face off against Smith in what promised to be an exciting and highly anticipated bout. However, it appears that unforeseen circumstances have led to his withdrawal from the fight.

    While the exact reasons for Ulberg’s withdrawal have not been disclosed, it is not uncommon for fighters to face last-minute injuries or personal issues that prevent them from competing. In the world of MMA, where fighters push their bodies to the limit in training and competition, injuries can unfortunately be a common occurrence.

    As for Anthony Smith, the news of Ulberg’s withdrawal will likely come as a disappointment as he prepared to face off against a tough opponent. Smith, who is a seasoned veteran in the sport with an impressive record of wins, will now have to wait for a new opponent to be announced for UFC 303.

    Fans of both fighters will no doubt be eagerly awaiting updates on the situation and hoping for a speedy recovery for Ulberg. In the meantime, they can look forward to an exciting card of fights at UFC 303 and anticipate the announcement of a replacement opponent for Smith in the coming days.

    Overall, while it is always disappointing to see a fighter withdraw from a scheduled bout, it is important to prioritize the health and well-being of the athletes. We wish Carlos Ulberg all the best in his recovery and hope to see him back in action soon.