The return of former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold has been delayed, as injury has forced him out of his November 6th fight against Sean Strickland.
Rockhold was set to face Strickland at UFC 268, which is expected to happen at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, USA.
Rockhold announced his injury via social media Monday. He cited a herniated disc as the exact setback he is facing.
“The [doctor] said it’s nothing I can play with,” said Rockhold via Instagram Story. “I need to do some treatment, some recovery time. Some things just aren’t meant to be, New York.”
The fight was scheduled to be Rockhold’s first appearance in over two years. He last fought in July 2019, losing a bout up at light heavyweight against now-champion Jan Blachowicz.
It is not known currently whether Strickland will get a new opponent for November 6th. The promotion is currently searching for a replacement, per a report from Damon Martin of MMA Fighting.
Strickland has been rising up the middleweight division as of late, having scored four wins since returning in October 2020. He picked up his first UFC main event victory in July, defeating Uriah Hall via unanimous decision.
UFC 268 is currently set to have two title fights in the lineup. At the top, UFC Welterweight Champion Kamaru Usman will face Colby Covington in a rematch.
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