Mike Davis out of UFC on ESPN 8 fight vs. Giga Chikadze due to non-COVID-related issues

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The fight week switch-ups continue, and a late withdrawal has placed a UFC on ESPN 8 bout in jeopardy.

Mike Davis has withdrawn from his UFC featherweight debut against Giga Chikadze due to non-COVID-19 related medical issues.

A person with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of Davis’ withdrawal Thursday. The person asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. The news was first reported by Adjara Sport.

The promotion is currently seeking a replacement to fight Chikadze (9-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC), but on mere hours notice. The UFC on ESPN 8 official weigh-ins are set for Friday morning at 9 a.m. ET local time.

Davis (8-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) had competed at 145 pounds in the past, just not in the UFC. Thus far in his two-fight UFC tenure, Davis has only competed at lightweight.

UFC on ESPN 8 takes place Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

With the withdrawal the current UFC on ESPN 8 lineup includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 9 p.m. ET)

• Alistair Overeem vs. Walt Harris
• Claudia Gadelha vs. Angela Hill
• Edson Barboza vs. Dan Ige
• Eryk Anders vs. Krzysztof Jotko
• Marlon Vera vs. Song Yadong

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

• Miguel Baeza vs. Matt Brown
• Anthony Hernandez vs. Kevin Holland
• Giga Chikadze vs. TBA
• Darren Elkins vs. Nate Landwehr
• Mara Romero Borella vs. Cortney Casey
• Don’Tale Mayes vs. Rodrigo Nascimento