BREAKING: Noche UFC Loses Pivotal Lightweight Bout

Noche UFC has suffered yet another setback with Natan Levy withdrawing from his booked lightweight matchup against Alex Reyes. Their highly anticipated bout was set to take place on the promotion’s Mexican Independence Day special Fight Night on September 16. 

Veteran MMA journalist Marcel Dorff confirmed the development on Twitter and disclosed that promotional newcomer Charlie Campbell will replace Levy. Campbell was contacted shortly after the Israeli-French fighter confirmed his withdrawal due to injury. ‘The Cannibal’  is an alum of Dana White’s Contender Series season six and has a professional record of 7-2. He last beat Josh Streaker via first-round knockout at CFFC 120. 

Interestingly, this is Natan Levy’s second fight cancelation this year. The Israeli-French lightweight contender was initially booked against Pete Rodriguez at UFC Vegas 72 in April. However, the fight was scrapped after Rodriguez pulled out. Natan Levy was then rebooked against Pete Rodriguez for UFC on ABC 4 in May, only to find out Rodriguez withdrew again. Levy last beat Genaro Valdez via unanimous decision at UFC Orlando last December and was riding a two-fight win streak.

This development has added to the list of canceled Noche UFC bouts. Before this, the Mexican Independence Day event lost a blockbuster clash between Kelvin Gastelum and Shavkat Rakhmonov. Gastelum was forced out due to injury as well. Additionally, the matchup between Iasmin Lucindo and Josefine Knutsson was also removed from the card due to Lucindo’s injury. 

Noche UFC is now set to be headlined by an exciting women’s flyweight title fight between Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko. Kevin Holland will go up against Jack Della Maddalena in a welterweight contest for the co-main event. Noche UFC will take place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas despite being a Fight Night event.