UFC Fight Night 103: Injury forces Bryan Caraway out of pivotal Jimmie Rivera fight on Jan. 15

The injury bug is already alive and well in 2017.

UFC Fight Night 103 — Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) first event of the year — has suffered a setback as Bryan Caraway has been forced out of his meaningful Bantamweight bout against Jimmie Rivera, which was set to pop off on Jan. 15, 2017, from Talking Stick Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.

MMA Junkie brought word of the unfortunate news earlier today.

No replacement has been named at the time; however, the promotion is reportedly actively looking for a willing foe to accept the bout on just 11 days notice against the No. 6-ranked contender who hasn’t lost in his last 19 bouts, including four inside the Octagon. Indeed, Rivera was last seen picking up an impressive victory over Urijah Faber at UFC 203 in Sept. 2016 and only has one loss on his otherwise mint record (20-1, 4-0 UFC). Caraway, meanwhile, is on a two-fight win streak, stopping top prospect Aljamain Sterling in his last fight in May of last year.

"Kid Lightning" was looking to get a title fight against former division champion Dominick Cruz after his win, but was ultimately passed over in favor of Cody Garbrandt, who went on to defeat "The Dominator" at UFC 207 (highlights).

UFC Fight Night 103 will feature the return of B.J. Penn, who will face rising contender Yair Rodriguez in the headlining bout, which is set to air on FOX Sports 1.

For more on the event click here.