Chris Curtis Withdrew from UFC 307; Holland Faced Dolidze
Chris Curtis was scheduled to face Kevin Holland at UFC 307, but withdrew before the event. Holland instead fought Roman Dolidze, who won by first-round TKO after an injury stoppage.
Injury Forces Curtis to Withdraw
Curtis, known as “The Action Man,” revealed that he suffered a foot injury during a training session with fellow UFC fighter Caio Borralho. The injury occurred at the end of their final sparring round when Curtis caught Borralho’s knee with his left foot.
Extent of the Injury
The American fighter disclosed that he sustained a fracture in his left foot. However, the more severe issue is a Lisfranc injury, which affects the midfoot area. This type of injury is particularly problematic for athletes, as it can lead to chronic pain and altered gait if not treated properly.
Recovery Timeline
Curtis explained that he is not supposed to walk without crutches for the next 4 to 5 weeks. While this setback is significant, he expressed relief that the injury did not require surgical intervention, which could have resulted in an even longer recovery period.
Potential Return Date
The 36-year-old fighter is optimistic about his recovery, stating that he hopes to be ready for a December return to the Octagon. However, he acknowledged the possibility that his comeback might be delayed until next year, depending on how his rehabilitation progresses.
Impact on UFC 307
Curtis’s withdrawal changed the planned matchup, but Holland remained on the UFC 307 card and faced Dolidze instead.
Remaining Highlights
Despite this setback, UFC 307 still boasts an impressive lineup, including:
- Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling
- Jose Aldo vs. Mario Bautista
- Kayla Harrison vs. Ketlen Vieira (potential women’s bantamweight title eliminator)
Looking Ahead
Holland’s replacement opponent was Roman Dolidze, who won the bout by first-round TKO after an injury stoppage.
For Curtis, the next step was rehabilitation. At the time, he hoped to return in December but acknowledged that recovery might delay his comeback until the following year. His return depended on how the foot and Lisfranc injuries healed.
Citations:
[1] Reddit MMA discussion
[2] Sportskeeda
[3] YouTube interview
[4] MMA Fighting on X
[Result] UFC official results
[5] Sportskeeda
