UFC Fight Night Manila postponed as Penn withdraws

UFC Fight Night Manila scheduled a week from now has been postponed after BJ Penn’s withdrawal due to injury, UFC announced on Friday.

Penn has suffered a rib injury, forcing him to cancel the match against Ricardo Lamas, which was supposedly the main event of UFC’s return to the country after a year on October 15 at Mall of Asia Arena.

“I suffered a rib injury in training and I apologize to the fans in Manila who were expecting to watch me compete,” the former UFC champion said in a statement released by the promotion. “I hope to be back in the Octagon soon.”

UFC said the rest of the athletes in the card will be scheduled in other upcoming UFC events and will be compensated for the postponement.

No other date for the UFC Fight Night Manila was offered with the promotion’s 2016 calendar already finalized.

“UFC officials will discuss future dates for the event,” the statement also ready.