A significant change has been made to the main event of UFC Fight Night 293, also known as UFC Vegas 124, which is set to take place on November 7 in Nevada. The original welterweight main event between Sean Brady and Gabriel Bonfim has been cancelled due to Brady's withdrawal. Brady was forced to pull out of the fight on October 29 because of a staph infection in his knee. As a result, a heavyweight bout between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Johnny Walker has been promoted to the main event.
The replacement heavyweight fight was not originally part of the card. Cortes-Acosta, a former LFA Heavyweight Champion, and Walker, a longtime light-heavyweight competitor moving up, will now headline the event. This change provides both fighters with a rare opportunity to secure a high-profile victory in the heavyweight division. The event will take place at the Meta Apex in Enterprise, Nevada, and will be streamed on Paramount+.
The co-main event features women's strawweight contenders Tatiana Suarez and Virna Jandiroba. This bout has been scheduled twice before but has finally been secured for this card. Both fighters have notable resumes: Suarez is a former UFC strawweight title challenger and TUF winner, while Jandiroba is a former Invicta FC strawweight champion. The winner of this fight is likely to be a strong candidate for a future title shot.
The remainder of the main card includes several match-ups, such as Davey Grant vs. Elijah Smith, Ko Seok-hyeon vs. Wellington Turman, and Billy Elekana vs. Lucas Fernando. On the prelims, Gabriel Lorenço will make his debut against Thomas Petersen. Other bouts feature Karine Silva, Gabriella Fernandes, Mitch Raposo, and several additional fighters across weight classes.
However, one scheduled featherweight bout remains unresolved. Austin Bashi's opponent withdrew with an ACL tear, and a replacement has yet to be confirmed. The event is set for Saturday, November 7, 2026, and fans can expect an exciting lineup of fights.
For Cortes-Acosta and Walker, this late-stage promotion offers a chance to make a significant impact in the heavyweight division. Meanwhile, the strawweight co-main event provides a clear pathway toward the division's title picture. The change in the main event has added an extra layer of excitement to the upcoming UFC Fight Night 293.
UFC Fight Night 293, or UFC Vegas 124, is expected to be a thrilling event with several notable match-ups. The heavyweight clash between Cortes-Acosta and Walker will be closely watched, as will the strawweight bout between Suarez and Jandiroba. Fans will have to tune in on November 7 to see the outcomes of these and other fights.
Key points
- Sean Brady withdrew from his welterweight bout due to a staph infection in his knee.
- The main event was changed to a heavyweight bout between Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Johnny Walker.
- The co-main event features women's strawweight contenders Tatiana Suarez and Virna Jandiroba.
