Alex Munoz forced out at UFC Norfolk, Luis Pena needs new opponent

Alex Munoz won’t be competing at UFC on ESPN+ 27.

An undefeated Team Alpha Male prospect, Munoz (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was expected to make his promotional debut against Luis Pena. However, an injury has forced the highly touted wrestling-based lightweight from the bout, MMA Junkie today confirmed with UFC officials.

UFC execs are now hoping Pena (7-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC) will remain on next week’s card against a different opponent and are currently seeking candidates. UFC on ESPN+ 27 takes place Feb. 29 at Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Va., and streams on ESPN+.

Munoz, 29, was signed on the most recent episode of “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight” after defeating fellow top prospect Troy Lamson. Team Alpha Male’s wrestling coach, Munoz also holds a dominant decision victory over Nick Newell on “Dana White’s Contender Series.”

A timetable for his return wasn’t immediately established.

With the change, the current UFC on ESPN+ 27 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

• Joseph Benavidez vs. Deiveson Figueiredo – for vacant flyweight title
• Zarah Fairn vs. Felicia Spencer
• Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
• Megan Anderson vs. Norma Dumont
• Grant Dawson vs. Darrick Minner
• Kyler Phillips vs. Gabriel Silva

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 5 p.m. ET)

• Brendan Allen vs. Tom Breese
• Luis Pena vs. TBA
• Serghei Spivac vs. Marcin Tybura
• T.J. Brown vs. Jordan Griffin
• Spike Carlyle vs. Aalon Cruz
• Sean Brady vs. Ismail Naurdiev