Ricardo Lamas needs a new opponent to fight Aug. 29 after Ryan Hall was forced out of their scheduled matchup.
A person with knowledge of the situation informed MMA Junkie of the development Thursday night but requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to make an announcement. A reason for Hall’s withdrawal was not disclosed.
According to sources, Lamas (19-8 MMA, 10-6 UFC) still wants to fight at the event, which is scheduled to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The promotion is currently searching for a new foe for the former 145-pound title challenger. However, given the short-notice nature of the situation and COVID-19 restrictions, the replacement likely will need to be a U.S. citizen or a foreigner who already has an active work visa.
Lamas has not competed since a TKO loss to Calvin Kattar at UFC 238 in June 2018. Hall, meanwhile, continues struggling to find a way to get in the octagon. He’s fought just three times since winning “The Ultimate Fighter 22” in December 2015.
The latest lineup for the UFC’s Aug. 29 card includes:
Anthony Smith vs. Aleksandar Rakic
Robbie Lawler vs. Neil Magny
Alexa Grasso vs. Ji Yeon Kim
Ricardo Lamas vs. opponent TBA
Magomed Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba
Impa Kasanganay vs. Maki Pitolo
Hannah Cifers vs. Mallory Martin
Zak Cummings vs. Alessio Di Chirico
Alex Caceres vs. Giga Chikadze
Polyana Viana vs. Emily Whitmire
Christian Aguilera vs. Sean Brady