Combat Sports Injury Report: Holland and Delija Withdraw as Guskov Steps Up in Abu Dhabi

The mid-summer combat sports calendar is undergoing a massive reshuffle. Across the globe, injuries have forced top-tier fighters to withdraw from high-stakes matchups, sending matchmakers into overdrive to salvage highly anticipated cards.

In the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the injury bug has bitten two major upcoming events. Veteran Kevin Holland has been forced to withdraw from his scheduled bout against Jacobe Smith at UFC Fight Night 281 in Oklahoma City.

The undisclosed injury halts what would have been a significant milestone for Holland. The "Trailblazer" was set to make his 30th appearance inside the Octagon, coming off a unanimous decision victory over Randy Brown earlier in the year.

For the undefeated Jacobe Smith, the cancellation is a frustrating delay. The matchup was slated to be the biggest test of his young career, and the UFC is currently scrambling to find a replacement to keep him on the July 18 card.

The UFC's European expansion has also hit a speed bump. Ante Delija, the former PFL heavyweight champion, has withdrawn from his highly anticipated promotional debut against Johnny Walker at UFC Fight Night in Belgrade.

The August 1 event marks the UFC's first-ever trip to Serbia, and the heavyweight clash was expected to be a major draw. Walker, known for his explosive striking, is now left waiting as the promotion searches for a new opponent to keep him on the historic card.

However, the volatility of combat sports also creates massive opportunities. At UFC Fight Night Abu Dhabi on July 25, Bogdan Guskov has stepped up on short notice to replace the injured Khalil Rountree Jr.

Guskov will face the No. 1-ranked light heavyweight, Magomed Ankalaev, in the main event at the Etihad Arena. Ranked No. 10 himself, the Uzbek fighter boasts a staggering 18 finishes in 18 victories and now has the chance to catapult himself directly into title contention.

The injury wave extends well beyond the UFC. The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has been forced to completely restructure the top of its upcoming Austin card after middleweight champion Costello van Steenis withdrew due to injury.[1]

In response, the PFL has elevated a highly anticipated rematch to the main event. Former middleweight champion Johnny Eblen will face 2023 light heavyweight champion Impa Kasanganay, with the promotion's first-ever Interim Middleweight World Title on the line.[1]

The dual reshuffling at PFL Austin serves as an early stress test for the promotion's post-tournament era, placing greater pressure on individual events to deliver marquee matchups without the built-in stakes of a playoff structure.

While injuries derail some camps, they also set the stage for triumphant returns. In ONE Championship, American grappling powerhouse Paige Ivette Clymer is preparing for her global stage debut after recovering from devastating knee injuries.[2]

Clymer, who endured torn ACL and meniscus injuries that required extensive rehabilitation, is completely healthy and set to face teenage sensation Helena Crevar at The Inner Circle 22 in Bangkok on July 17.[2]

For Clymer, the long road back from surgery has only sharpened her resolve. She enters the 10-minute openweight submission grappling showdown determined to secure a submission victory, proving that the darkest days of an injury layoff can eventually lead to the brightest lights.[2]