Report | Nicco Montano transported to hospital ahead of UFC 228 weigh-ins, fight in jeopardy

Bad news, fight fans. Mere hours ahead of the UFC 228 weigh ins, UFC flyweight champion Nicco Montano has reportedly been transported to a hospital in the card’s host city of Dallas, Texas. Her planned title defense opposite top contender Valentina Shevchenko is, unsurprisingly, now in serious jeopardy. This unfortunate news was first reported by ESPN.

Nicco Montaño, the UFC women’s flyweight champion, has been transported to a local hospital, according to multiple sources. There is serious concern about the status of her title fight against Valentina Shevchenko at this time.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 7, 2018

“Nicco Montaño, the UFC women’s flyweight champion, has been transported to a local hospital, according to multiple sources,” ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani said on Twitter. “There is serious concern about the status of her title fight against Valentina Shevchenko at this time.”

https://twitter.com/aaronbronsteter/status/1038055185178918914

“I have confirmed that Nicco Montano is currently checked into the emergency ward at a hospital near the fighter hotel here in Dallas,” TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter confirmed, adding that Montano as been checked into emergency in Dallas.

At the time of this writing, it is not clear why Nicco Montano was taken to the hospital, though the timing of her hospital visit would certainly seem to imply a weight-cut related issued.

According to Helwani, the fight is not yet cancelled. If it is cancelled, it’s hard to say what will happen with the UFC 228 co-main event and Valentina Shevchenko, as there are no female flyweights competing on the card.

Discussions are ongoing regarding what to do about tomorrow night Co-main, sources say. There aren’t any female flyweights on the card. The fight hasn’t been officially canceled just yet but it is in serious jeopardy considering Montaño’s health status.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 7, 2018

“Discussions are ongoing regarding what to do about tomorrow night Co-main, sources say,” Helwani reported. “There aren’t any female flyweights on the card. The fight hasn’t been officially canceled just yet but it is in serious jeopardy considering Montaño’s health status.”

Nicco Montano has not fought since December of 2017, when she captured the inaugural UFC women’s flyweight belt with a decision defeat of Roxanne Modafferi. The champ is currently 4-2 in sum.

Stay tuned for more updates on this unfortunate Nicco Montano situation as they emerge.

This article first appeared on BJPENN.COM on 9/7/2018.