Cody Garbrandt's quest for history will have to be put on hold for now.
Garbrandt released a statement declaring he's out of his flyweight title fight against champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 255 on Nov. 21 due to a torn bicep he suffered on Monday. Combate first reported and DAZN News has confirmed that Alex Perez will step in for Garbrandt, who says he's been guaranteed to face the winner in 2021.
"I tore my bicep on Monday," Garbrandt posted on Facebook. "The UFC decided to replace me but told me I’ll face the winner. Time to heal and stay ready. Control what you can control in this life. I always count my blessings when negative things arise."
Garbrandt (12-3) is a former bantamweight champion looking to become a two-division world champion by competing at 125 pounds for the first time. In his last time out, "No Love" scored a knockout at the end of the second round against Raphael Assunção at UFC 250.
Perez, who had been set to face fellow contender Brandon Moreno at UFC 255, slides into the position with a golden opportunity.
There are those who felt Perez (24-5) was more deserving of the title shot than Garbrandt. Perez entered the UFC through the Dana White's Contender Series. He's made the most of his opportunity by going 6-1 with four of those victories via stoppage, including three consecutive wins and back-to-back wins inside the distance.
Figueiredo (19-1) captured the championship, plowing through Joseph Benavidez by first-round submission to win his first world title at the end of July.