With less than a few hours remaining, bantamweight Brian Kelleher has been forced out of preliminary bout with Montel Jackson later tonight (Sat., Nov. 3, 2018) at UFC 230 in New York City, per a recent report by MMAjunkie.
Keller and Jackson were scheduled for the second “Prelims” bout on Fight Pass.
While Kelleher missed weight by one pound during Friday’s official weigh ins, the illness is unrelated to his cut. Per the report, “Boom” has come down with food poisoning and will be unable to make his walk to the cage tonight at UFC 230.
Kelleher, 32, was trying to get back in the win column after getting knocked out for the first time in his career at the hands of John Lineker back at UFC 224. The New York native was also looking to avenge a previous loss on home soil at UFC on FOX 25 last year, in which he was submitted by Marlon Vera just over two minutes into the first round.
Considering the timing of this removal, UFC will not find a replacement for Kelleher. That means Jackson’s UFC return will be put on hold for now.
UFC 230 will proceed with 12 total bouts and an updated start time of 6:30 p.m. ET with the action beginning on Fight Pass.