Mark Godbeer says opponent Todd Duffee out of UFC 209 matchup

Mark Godbeer apparently needs a new opponent for next month’s UFC 209 event.

Godbeer (11-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) today announced fellow heavyweight Todd Duffee (9-3 MMA, 3-2 UFC) has been forced out of the fight for undisclosed reasons. However, Godbeer said he expects to remain on the card and that a potential replacement has been contacted.

UFC officials and Duffee haven’t made a formal announcement, and of this morning, the fight is still listed on UFC.com.

Here’s Godbeer’s statement (via Facebook):

UFC 209 takes place March 4 at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FS1 and UFC Fight Pass, though the bout order hasn’t been finalized.

Duffee was slated to return action for the first time since a July 2015 loss to former champ Frank Mir. Prior to the setback, the 31-year-old had earned consecutive wins over Anthony Hamilton, Philip De Fries and Neil Grove – all via first-round knockout.

Godbeer, meanwhile, made his UFC debut in November, when Justin Ledet tapped him out at UFC Fight Night 99. The 33-year-old Englishman had won three straight fights, which included a BAMMA title reign, before the promotional-debut setback.

The latest UFC 209 card now includes:

• Champ Tyron Woodley vs. Stephen Thompson – for welterweight title
• Tony Ferguson vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov– for interim lightweight title
• Rashad Evans vs. Daniel Kelly
• David Teymur vs. Lando Vannata
• Mark Hunt vs. Alistair Overeem
• Mark Godbeer vs. TBA
• Mirsad Bektic vs. Darren Elkins
• Iuri Alcantara vs. Luke Sanders
• Paul Craig vs. Tyson Pedro
• Ed Herman vs. Igor Pokrajac

For more on UFC 209, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.