Medical scare torpedos UFC 320 ‘Prelims’ headliner last-minute, promotion scrambling to find replacement for ‘Mini Ngannou’ – ‘My health, safety come first’

UFC 320 has already taken a hit.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Middleweight Ozzy Diaz, who was set to battle top prospect Ateba Gautier this weekend (Sat., Oct. 4, 2025) in the UFC 320 “Prelims” headliner inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, has officially withdrawn from the card.

Diaz announced the news on Instagram, citing a medical issue but declining to provide details.

“Hey everyone, I have some really tough news to share. After careful consideration and talking with my team and medical professionals, I’ve had to make the heartbreaking decision to pull out of my fight this week. This isn’t a choice I ever thought I’d have to make, but my health and safety have to come first. I truly appreciate all your support and understanding during this time, and I promise to come back stronger soon.
I would like to apologize to the UFC and also to my opponent Ateba Gautier. This decision was a hard one.
But through it all, I trust God’s plan. I believe everything happens for a reason, even when I can’t see it yet. This is just another test, another chapter, and I promise you I will get back up. I’m going to keep fighting, keep believing, and keep pushing forward.”

MMAmania.com has confirmed the promotion is actively searching for a replacement opponent for Gautier.

Diaz (10-3) recently earned his first Octagon win, a controversial unanimous decision over Djorden Santos, after being knocked out in his debut by China’s Mingyang Zhang (watch highlights).

Meanwhile, Gautier (8-1) has been flawless since earning a UFC contract, finishing both of his opponents inside four minutes: Jose Medina at UFC Mexico City (watch highlights) and Robert Valentin at UFC 318 (watch highlights).

The Cameroonian prospect is being fast-tracked as one of the division’s brightest newcomers, so the promotion is expected to do everything possible to keep him on the card.

With fight week underway, expect an update on Gautier’s new opponent soon.

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LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE REMATCH! Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) continues its 2025 pay-per-view (PPV) schedule on Sat., Oct. 4, 2025, with a blockbuster title fight set to headline UFC 320 from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In UFC 320’s PPV main event, Light Heavyweight champion, Magomed Ankalaev, defends his title against No. 1-ranked contender, Alex Pereira, in a high-stakes, five-round rematch. UFC 320’s PPV co-main event features a Bantamweight title showdown between division champion, Merab Dvalishvili, and No. 1-ranked contender, Cory Sandhagen. UFC 320 will also showcase a Light Heavyweight clash between Jiri Prochazka vs. Khalil Rountree Jr., a Featherweight bout pitting Josh Emmett vs. Youssef Zalal, a Middleweight matchup featuring Abus Magomedov vs. Joe Pyfer, and much more! UFC 320’s start time is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET (“Early Prelims”), 8 p.m. ET (“Prelims” undercard), and 10 p.m. ET (PPV main card).

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