Sun Mar 09 09:00:00 UTC 2025: **UFC 313 Hit by Double Cancellation Due to Illness**
LAS VEGAS, NV (March 8, 2025) – UFC 313 suffered a last-minute setback with the cancellation of two fights just hours before the event commenced at the T-Mobile Arena. The highly anticipated heavyweight bout between Curtis Blaydes and Rizvan Kuniev was scrapped after Blaydes came down with norovirus, leaving him unable to compete. This marks the second time the fight has been postponed. Kuniev, who was looking forward to his UFC main roster debut after a successful Contender Series appearance, will have to wait for another opportunity.
Adding to the disappointment, the bantamweight matchup between John Castaneda and Chris Gutierrez was also canceled due to Castaneda’s illness. The nature of Castaneda’s illness is unknown, and it’s unclear if it is related to Blaydes’ condition. This fight was already a rescheduling from a previous cancellation involving Castaneda’s original opponent. Gutierrez, who had stepped in on short notice, will now have to wait for another fight.
Despite the cancellations, the remaining ten fights on the card proceeded as scheduled, with the event featuring a full main, preliminary, and early preliminary card. Both cancelled fights are expected to be rescheduled for upcoming events. The UFC has not yet announced new dates for either bout.
First Piper 