Lawler Returns, Fights Magny On Aug. 28

Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight veteran Robbie Lawler will come off the bench to battle Neil Magny in a late replacement fight at the upcoming UFC Vegas 8 mixed martial arts (MMA) event on Aug. 20 inside the promotion’s APEX facility.

That’s according to MMA DNA, who brought word of the change in opponents after Magny’s original dance partner, Geoff Neal, was hospitalized over the weekend and “almost died” (his words) while preparing for his first fight of 2020.

“Never did I ever think I would be hooked up to a dialysis machine before my 30s,” Neal wrote in Instagram. “Everything was going well for me. Was training everyday, making money at work, just signed a contract for a huge fight, then BOOM, life hit me with a check hook. I’m just glad to be home after having to spend 1 week in the ICU. Stay healthy out there y’all and listen to your body at all times.”

While the details aren’t yet known as to Neal’s condition, dialysis is typically associated with kidney issues, which can include kidney failure. Numerous fighters ranging from Jose Aldo to Matt Mitrione have previously suffered from kidney stones, but that is rarely something that would require a dialysis machine.

The 38 year-old Lawler (28-14, 1 NC) hasn’t fought since a unanimous decision loss to top contender Colby Covington last August in Newark, NJ. Magny (23-7), meanwhile, is on a two-fight win streak, both victories a pair of unanimous nods over Li Jingliang and Anthony Rocco Martin.

It has not yet been confirmed whether or not this bout will be the headliner with Zabit Magomedshapirov off the table, but it’s certainly possible given that the only other matchup between ranked fighters on the card is Anthony Smith vs. Aleksander Rakic at 205 pounds.

Stay tuned.