JP Buys out of DWCS 31 bout vs. Nate Smith due to pandemic-induced work permit delays

JP Buys won’t be getting a second shot on Dana White’s Contender Series – at least not on a planned date of Sept. 1.

Due to unforeseen delays in obtaining an Employment Authorization Document (temporary worker permit), Buys (8-2) has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Nate Smith.

Buys, who is married to U.S.-born Dana White’ Contender Series Season 4 fighter Cheyanne Buys, applied for the permit in early 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the process is facing a lengthy delay.

Multiple people with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the situation Tuesday but asked the remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Smith is expected to still compete at some point during the current season of Dana White’s Contender Series. According to one source, the current frontrunner to replace Buys is LFA flyweight champion Jimmy Flick (14-5).

Buys, a South African flyweight, competed on the first season of Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017. He lost to Joby Sanchez by second-round TKO. Buys, who now trains at Fortis MMA, has won four straight fights – all ended inside the distance.

With the change, the current DWCS 31 lineup includes:

• Cody Brundage vs. William Knight
• Jose Johnson vs. Ronnie Lawrence
• KB Bhullar vs. Bruno Oliveira
• Tucker Lutz vs. Victor Martinez
• Nate Smith vs. TBA