Fighter pulls out of UFC Fight Night 83 Cowboy vs. Cowboy card due to dengue fever

With less than a week away, a main card bout for UFC Fight Night 83 has taken a turn for the worse. A bantamweight bout featuring John Lineker and Cody Garbrandt will not be taking place due to Lineker having to pull out of the fight due to dengue fever, according to MMA Junkie. Dengue fever is a disease caused by mosquito bites in tropical areas.

Lineker who is from Brazil tweeted his apology to Garbrandt saying, “I apologize @Cody_Nolove,I know just how bad do all preparation and can not fight,we all went out harmed.”

I apologize @Cody_Nolove,I know just how bad do all preparation and can not fight,we all went out harmed pic.twitter.com/gInjkpT5d6

— John Lineker (@johnlineker) February 15, 2016

The UFC has yet to make an official announcement regarding the bout, and no information has been given on if Garbrandt will be facing a last-minute opponent to step in with Lineker being forced out.

Former UFC veteran and current analyst Brian Stann tweeted, “I am so mad at John Lineker’s immune system right now, was really looking fwd to calling his fight w/ @Cody_Nolove”
https://twitter.com/BrianStann/status/699320103326916608

Garbrandt replied an optimistic tweet saying, “Hope they get me someone I have faith @ufc.”
https://twitter.com/Cody_Nolove/status/699322031867691008

Garbrandt, who holds an undefeated record of 7-0 was looking to climb the bantamweight division against the UFC ranked number 11 Lineker. Lineker is undefeated in his last three fights with an impressive showing in his last bout getting a first-round submission over Francisco Rivera at UFC 191.

UFC Fight Night 83 takes place on Feb. 21 at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone taking on Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira in the main event.