Velasquez-Werdum II Off of UFC 207 Card

The rematch between UFC heavyweights Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum will not be happening at UFC 207, as the Nevada State Athletic Commission has not cleared him to compete.

Velasquez has stated he had a back injury and the UFC wanted him to undergo more testing, but Velasquez claims it was just a formality and nothing serious.

The report was first publicized by ESPN’s Brett Okamoto via Twitter.

Social media was how Velasquez found out of his removal from the card as well, as after the report came out, Velasquez claimed to have spoken with a doctor, who cleared him for competition.

Okamoto said following Velasquez’s tweets that he reached out to Velasquez and the state commission and has further confirmation that the bout is off.

The state commission released the following statement: "Based on medical records, interviews and the best judgment of Chairman Anthony Marnell, attorney general J. Brin Gibson, the executive director’s office and our physicians, in an effort to protect the health and safety of the athletes, it’s been determined Cain Velasquez is unfit to fight. The financial incentive for fighters to compete is strongly compelling, and it is the responsibility and obligation of this commission to intervene when excessive risks are evident. It’s obvious Mr. Velasquez is physically compromised and competing would place him in significant physical risk."

This bout was to be a rematch for their UFC 188 encounter, where Werdum defeated Velasquez for the UFC heavyweight title.

With the event days away, Werdum will not get a replacement opponent, and UFC 207 will proceed with 10 bouts.

Fight Sports will update this story as it unfolds.