Thatch Not Cleared to Fight in Pennsylvania, Bout vs. Bahadurzada Moved to UFC 196

A welterweight matchup between Brandon Thatch and Siyar Bahadurzada has been moved from UFC Fight Night Pittsburgh to UFC 196.

The change comes as a result of Thatch being unable to receive clearance to fight from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission for using a “medication permitted under the UFC/USADA, WADA and Nevada State Athletic Commission anti-doping rules,” according to a statement released by the Las Vegas-based promotion on Friday night. The medication Thatch was using was not specified.

“The Colorado fighter and his team have been in communication with the UFC and USADA throughout this process, and the required paperwork for licensing in Nevada has been filed,” the statement read.

UFC Fight Night Pittsburgh takes place at Consol Energy Center on Feb. 21 and is headlined by a 170-pound clash between Donald Cerrone and Alex Oliveira. The event will proceed with 13 bouts.

Meanwhile, Thatch-Bahadurzada joins a UFC 196 card that is headlined by a lightweight title tilt between Rafael dos Anjos and Conor McGregor. The March 5 event takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will also see Holly Holm defend her bantamweight strap against Miesha Tate in the co-feature.