Shamil Gamzatov out of UFC on ESPN+ 31 fight vs. Ovince Saint Preux

Shamil Gamzatov won’t be fighting at UFC on ESPN+ 31.

The Russian light heavyweight Gamzatov (14-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) was scheduled to face Ovince Saint Preux at the April 25 event pegged for Lincoln, Neb., but was forced to withdraw from the card due to travel restrictions set in place in Russia to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Two people with knowledge of the change recently informed MMA Junkie of the decision. The people asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

After a short but successful PFL career, Gamzatov made his UFC debut in November 2019. The 29-year-old fighter kept his unbeaten record in tact when he won an uneventful split decision against Klidson Abreu.

As for Saint Preux (24-13 MMA, 13-8 UFC), the longtime UFC veteran chocked his way back into the win column in September 2019 following back-to-back losses. Taking on Michal Oleksiejczuk, Saint Preux picked up fourth Von Flue choke under the promotion’s banner.

UFC on ESPN+ 31 takes place at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The event will stream on ESPN+.

With the addition, the UFC on ESPN+ 31 lineup now includes:

• Anthony Smith vs. Glover Teixeira
• Ovince Saint Preux vs. TBA
• Cynthia Calvillo vs. Antonina Shevchenko
• Matt Frevola vs. Roosevelt Roberts
• Evan Dunham vs. Michael Johnson
• Ariane Carnelossi vs. Mackenzie Dern
• Zak Cummings vs. Andrew Sanchez
• Raphael Pessoa vs. Alexander Romanov
• Anthony Rocco Martin vs. David Zawada
• Frank Camacho vs. Alan Patrick
• Billy Quarantillo vs. Gavin Tucker
• Peter Barrett vs. Danny Henry
• Montel Jackson vs. Brett Johns