Marvin Vettori reveals injury that knocked him out of UFC Baku

Middleweight contender Marvin Vettori has been forced to withdraw from UFC Baku (UFC Fight Night 280) on June 27 due to a broken rib sustained during training. The Italian posted on Instagram that an MRI confirmed the injury does not require surgery but will prevent him from competing at the National Gymnastics Arena in Azerbaijan's capital. Vettori was scheduled to face Ismail Naurdiev in what would have been either the main card opener or preliminary headliner. The 19-10-1 fighter expressed disappointment at missing the bout after relocating to prepare for the matchup, but acknowledges that competing on a broken rib poses unacceptable risk. His withdrawal marks another scheduling disruption for the promotion and leaves Naurdiev seeking a new opponent or facing postponement of his own fight.