Nadia Kassem is out of UFC Auckland.
The Sydney-sider has confirmed to Fight News Australia that she suffered an injury during training for her debut fight and will be unable to compete. Her opponent for the fight was scheduled to be TUF Alumni J.J Aldrich who is coming off a loss to Juliana Lima back in December but had previously strung together three consecutive impressive victories.
Kassem is understandably disappointed at not being able to fight in June but is holding out hope that she will make her entrance into octagon before the year is out.
“I’m devastated that I couldn’t be on the New Zealand card; so close to home and fighting alongside other Aussies that I know. But at least the injury will allow me to grow as a fighter mentally and physically and when I’m back I’ll be as intimidating as ever,” Kassem told Fight News Australia.
Whilst Kassem is still keen to fight Aldrich, the Colorado native has been booked to fight late replacement Chan Mi Joen from South Korea in Auckland. Mi Jeon is currently undefeated and making her promotional debut.
“If she wants to fight me specifically once I’m better I’m sure it can be arranged. I hope she knows I ain’t scared of her or any other strawweight.”
UFC Fight Night 110 is headlined by a heavyweight collision between Mark Hunt and Derrick Lewis.
UFC Auckland Card announced to date:
- Mark Hunt v Derrick Lewis — heavyweight bout
- Dan Kelley v Derek Brunson — middleweight bout
- Ben Nguyen v Tim Elliott— flyweight bout
- Ashkan Mokhtarian v John Moraga — flyweight bout
- Dan Hooker v Ross Pearson — lightweight bout
- Damien Brown v Vinc Pichel — lightweight bout
- Alex Volkanovski v Mizuto Hirota — featherweight bout
- Warlley Alves v Kiichi Kunimoto – welterweight bout
- Luke Jumeau v Dominique Steele – welterweight bout
- J.J Aldrich v Chan Mi Jeon — strawweight bout
