Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) welterweight titleholder Belal Muhammad has withdrawn from his upcoming UFC 310 pay-per-view (PPV) headliner against Shavkat Rakhmonov, forcing matchmakers to consider a new main event on Saturday , December 7, 2024, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

MMAmania.com confirmed this with sources following multiple reports on social media.

Rakhmonov is expected to remain on the sidelines until Muhammad returns, leaving the door open for a top-flight clash to fill the five-round gap. A source told MMAmania.com that reigning light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira has been asked to fight Magomed Ankalaev on short notice.

That would be four title defenses for “Poatan” within the last eight months.

“I got a bone infection in my foot,” Muhammad wrote on Instagram. “I had to put a PICC line in my arm to get IV antibiotics for the next six weeks without any physical activity. Allah's plan is the best plan. I’m sorry to everyone who came to visit me, I’ll be back soon, InshAllah.”

The promotion has not yet made an announcement regarding the future of UFC 310. Additionally, the extremely busy Pereira had originally planned to remain out of action until early 2025 after a difficult fight camp leading up to his latest title defense, a fourth-round knockout victory over Khalil Rountree Jr. in Salt Lake City.

Expect more information on this developing story in the coming days.