Cody Stamann forced out of Merab Dvalishvili fight on Dec. 5 in Las Vegas

Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) events slated for December just keep getting thinner by the day (see why here and here). The latest fight to be scratched is a Bantamweight bout between Cody Stamann versus Merab Dvalishvili.

According to MMA reporter Giorgi Kokiashvili, Stamann has been forced out of the fight. Per his initial report, the root of the withdrawal was said to be as a result of him testing positive for COVID-19. But, a follow up report by MMA Junkie revealed that was not the case, though an exact reason for his removal from the fight was not disclosed.

Stamann was looking to get back in the win column after suffering a unanimous decision loss to Jimmie Rivera at UFC Fight Island 1 this past July. Dvalishvili, meanwhile, is currently riding a five-fight win streak and was last seen defeating John Dodson this past August.

UFC matchmakers are currently on the hunt for a replacement opponent, and with more than six weeks until fight night, they should have no issue finding one.

The ESPN+-streamed event will feature a Middleweight bout between Jack Hermansson and Darren Till, while Gian Villante moves up to Heavyweight to face off against Jake Collier. Furthermore, former UFC women’s Bantamweight title contender Bethe Correia will take part in her farewell bout against Wu Yanan.