NATHANIEL WOOD has been forced to withdraw from UFC 286 due to a horrific cut.
The Prospect was due to take part in a mouthwatering Battle of Britain with fellow featherweight Lerone Murphy at the O2 Arena on March 18.
GETTYNathaniel Wood was due to return to the octagon at UFC 286[/caption]
GETTYThe Prospect was due to throw down with fellow Brit Lerone Murphy[/caption]
But a massive gash below his left knee has scuppered the fightINSTAGRAM@THEPROSPECTMMA
Wood has been left with a huge scar below his kneeTWITTER@THEPROSPECTMMA
But a horror-movie-like gash below his right knee has forced the former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion out of the contest.
Wood left British MMA fans crestfallen by sharing photos of the wound on his Instagram and Twitter pages.
His accompanying caption read: “Can’t catch a break in this game.”
He wrote on Instagram: “It is with a heavy heart to announce I will no longer be fighting in London.
“It seems I just can’t get a break in this game with constant setbacks.
“A freak accident landing on wooden trim in wrestling practice.
“Sorry for all those who were coming to see me. Going to have a sit-down and think about some things.
“The highest of the highs and the lowest of the lows.
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“Unfortunately, I cannot bend my knee until these stitches are out.”
Fans were quick to comment, with one tweeting Wood: “Gutted for you mate.
“Wishing you a speedy recovery.”
Another said: “Bloody hell that’s deep. Wishing you a speedy recovery.”
And another said: “Wishing you a speedy recovery.”
One remarked: “Wishing you all the best. Hope to see you back soon.”
Another chimed in: “Man this sucks. One of the fights I was looking forward to the most.”
Wood is currently on crutchesTWITTER@THEPROSPECTMMA
Another said: “Ah man that’s grim was so looking forward to seeing you fight again.
“Speedy recovery fella.”
After being bombarded by get-well messages, Wood said: “For all the messages I’ve been receiving it truly is appreciated.
“Mentally I’m ok as I believe everything happens for a reason and there is a lot worse going on in the world.
“Thanks, guys.”
It’s currently unknown if undefeated 145lb sensation Murphy – who was hospitalized last year after being struck by a car – will remain on the card.
UFC 286 – the promotion’s first pay-per-view event in the UK in nearly seven years – will be headlined by a welterweight title trilogy fight between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.