Bryce Mitchell will be absent from UFC 288 happening this Saturday as MMA Fighting confirms the news of his sudden withdrawal from his upcoming featherweight fight against Movsar Evloev, according to reliable sources. As a result, Diego Lopes, who was once part of the Dana White Contender Series and has a record of 20-5, will hastily replace him.

The reason behind Mitchell’s withdrawal is still undisclosed as of this moment. Evloev, who himself was a replacement for Jonathan Pearce, had to find a new opponent soon. Previously, Evloev planned to fight Mitchell at UFC Vegas 64, but he withdrew due to an injury.

Having already impressed with his UFC career by winning decisions against Dan Ige and Hakeem Dawodu, the former M-1 Global bantamweight champion currently holds an unbeaten record of 16-0.

Lopes, on the other hand, won his last fight against Angel Rodriguez via second-round TKO at a Lux Fight League event in November, making it nine wins in his 11 recent fights. Unfortunately, his appearance on the Contender Series saw him losing a unanimous decision to Joanderson Brito.