Canceled UFC event on April 25, 2020
| Company type | Event |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mixed martial arts |
| Founded | April 25, 2020 |
| Fate | Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic |
| Headquarters | Lincoln, Nebraska , United States |
UFC Fight Night: Smith vs. Teixeira was an Ultimate Fighting Championship event planned for April 25, 2020, at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic led UFC president Dana White to announce on April 9 that all forthcoming events beginning with UFC 249 would be postponed indefinitely. Subsequently, this event was officially cancelled on April 20.
Background
The main event was intended to feature a light heavyweight clash between former UFC Light Heavyweight Championship challengers Anthony Smith and Glover Teixeira.
A lightweight matchup between Christos Giagos and Alan Patrick had been arranged, but Giagos withdrew due to injury on March 19 and was substituted by Frank Camacho.
There was also a scheduled light heavyweight contest between Ovince Saint Preux, a previous interim title contender, and Shamil Gamzatov. Gamzatov pulled out because of COVID-19 related travel restrictions and was replaced by Ion Cuțelaba.
A heavyweight bout involving Rodrigo Nascimento and Don'Tale Mayes, initially set for UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Harris (which itself was cancelled amid the pandemic), was rescheduled for this card.
Visa complications arising from travel restrictions impacted Brazilian fighters Ariane Carnelossi and Raphael Pessoa, preventing their participation. Carnelossi was replaced by Hannah Cifers in a women’s strawweight bout against Mackenzie Dern.