The Heavyweight bout between Stefan Struve vs. Matt Mitrione that was scheduled to take place tonight (Sat., July 5, 2014) at UFC 175 has been canceled in the eleventh hour.
Mixed martial arts (MMA) media members sitting ringside at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, have been informed about the breaking -- and unfortunate -- bad news.
Heidi Fang is among them:
Just spoke to officials about Struve the report is accurate, he did black out in the locker room. More details coming on the broadcast.
— Heidi Fang (@HeidiFang) July 6, 2014
Struve was looking to make a comeback after sitting out for a full year to monitor a leaking aortic valve and enlarged heart that threatened to end his career.
"Skyscraper" was cleared to return to competition earlier this year after undergoing a battery of tests. It's unclear at this time if the fainting spell is attributed to an existing medical condition.
UFC did provide an update during the PPV broadcast with a tending physician, who assured fans that Struve is in good hands and is feeling better. The medical team made the "safe" decision to monitor the situation and remove him from the bout.
Here is the official statement:
"Stefan Struve suffered a non-life-threatening, near-fainting spell backstage. Afterward, the medical team did not feel he was fit to compete. With his health and safety in mind, he's been removed from the card and is currently under the care of the medical staff. We will provide further updates as they become available."
We'll pass along the latest information on Struve's condition -- and fight future -- as it becomes available.