Cody Garbrandt out of UFC on ESPN 8 vs. Rapahel Assuncao due to kidney issues

UFC Columbus has taken a major hit.

Ohio’s own Cody Garbrandt has been forced out of his co-main event fight vs. Raphael Assuncao at UFC on ESPN 8 due to kidney issues that have left him hospitalized.

UFC on ESPN 8 takes place March 28 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The card airs on ESPN following early prelims on ESPN+/UFC Fight Pass.

In a statement provided to ESPN, Garbrandt (11-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC) said he was suffering flu-like symptoms that resulted in him urinating blood.

“I honestly don’t know what it is,” Garbrandt said. “A month ago, I had cellulitis in my shin. I went to the hospital and got that cleared with antibiotics. I got back into training, but then last Friday, the lymph nodes in my groin were inflamed and I didn’t feel well. I thought it was just due to rough training.

“On Saturday, I had flu-like symptoms. The lymph nodes were so inflamed I couldn’t walk. I took an Uber to the hospital and did a bunch of tests on my blood, kidneys, CAT scan. The doctor sent me home, and 20 minutes later I felt even worse and started pissing blood.”

It’s been over a year since Garbrandt last competed, when he suffered a first-round knockout loss to Pedro Munhoz at UFC 235. Since capturing the UFC bantamweight title in a masterclass performance against Dominick Cruz in 2016, Garbrandt has lost his last three in a row.

Garbrandt said that doctors haven’t been able to diagnose exactly what the problem is thus far but that he wants to focus on his health in hopes of making a quick turnaround.

With the change, the latest UFC on ESPN 8 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN, 7 p.m. ET)

• Francis Ngannou vs. Jairzinho Rozenstruik
• Raphael Assuncao vs. TBA
• Miguel Baeza vs. Matt Brown
• Yorgan De Castro vs. Greg Hardy
• Sam Alvey vs. Khalil Rountree
• Laureano Staropoli vs. Khaos Williams
• Marlon Vera vs. Eddie Wineland

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN, 4 p.m. ET)

• Raoni Barcelos vs. Cody Stamann
• Davey Grant vs. Louis Smolka
• Mizuki Inoue vs. Tecia Torres
• Roman Kopylov vs. Eric Spicely
• Randy Costa vs. Martin Day
• Tanner Boser vs. Jeff Hughes