UFC 321 has officially lost one of its scheduled bouts just 48 hours before the event in Abu Dhabi, shaking up Saturday’s fight lineup.
The lightweight clash between Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady and Matheus Camilo has been scrapped after Al-Selwady was unexpectedly forced to withdraw from the card. The news was first reported by Eurosport and later confirmed by MMA Fighting, with sources indicating that Camilo will not receive a replacement opponent.
The last-minute cancellation reduces UFC 321 to 13 total fights, with prelims set to begin at 10 a.m. ET and the main card kicking off at 2 p.m. ET. While the rest of the stacked event — headlined by Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane for the UFC heavyweight title — remains untouched, this development is a tough break for both lightweights.
Shortly after the news broke, Al-Selwady took to Instagram to confirm his withdrawal and share his feelings about the unexpected setback. Though he didn’t reveal details about the reason behind his exit, his statement reflected both disappointment and faith.
“It’s written and I will not question it,” Al-Selwady posted. “All I know is I was fully prepared — best camp of my career, on weight and ready to go. It couldn’t have gone any better, but Allah didn’t have it planned for me. Inshallah, it will all be cleared soon. Do not ask me because I myself don’t know.”
The 29-year-old Jordanian lightweight was looking to bounce back after losing his UFC debut, which came shortly after his appearance on Dana White’s Contender Series. Known for his aggressive striking and technical grappling, Al-Selwady had promised fans a statement performance in Abu Dhabi.
Matheus Camilo, meanwhile, was also chasing his first UFC victory after dropping his debut earlier this year. The Brazilian prospect had shown promise in regional circuits and was hoping a win in Abu Dhabi would kickstart his run in the promotion.
Now, both fighters will need to regroup and wait for another opportunity — a reminder of just how unpredictable the fight game can be. Injuries, illnesses, and unforeseen issues continue to be part of the reality of MMA, even at the sport’s highest level.
Despite the late shake-up, UFC 321 remains packed with must-see matchups, including Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Mario Bautista, Virna Jandiroba vs. Mackenzie Dern, and the highly anticipated main event between Aspinall and Gane.
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