Brad Tavares Withdraws from Israel Adesanya Fight, Thiago Santos Offers to Step In

The main event of “The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale” is set to change, as Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight contender Brad Tavares will be forced to withdraw due to injury. On Thursday morning, UFC president Dana White reported that Tavares (17-4), who was scheduled to face the red-hot Israel Adesanya (13-0) on July 6, has suffered a broken foot. White also mentioned that at least one other UFC middleweight has offered to step up in Tavares’ place, though he would not commit to having settled on a replacement.

“Brad Tavares, I don’t think anybody knows this yet, just this morning broke his foot,” White told TMZ. “He’s out of that fight now with Israel [Adesanya], so we are looking to put somebody new in with this kid. I’m excited about him. I don’t know. Thiago Santos said he will accept the fight, but I’m still looking and trying to figure this thing out. Injuries are killing me, man!”

Santos (17-6) is likely looking for redemption since his first-round knockout loss to David Branch at UFC Fight Night 128. That loss stopped a four-bout winning streak for “Marreta” and brought his UFC record to 9-5.