As UFC Fight Night 247 approaches, the fight card has experienced a sudden shakeup. Nicolas Dalby, originally scheduled to face Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in a welterweight matchup, has withdrawn just days before the event. In his place steps Zach Scroggin, an undefeated rising star and current welterweight champion in the Fighting Alliance Championship (FAC).
This unexpected change was reported to MMA Junkie on Tuesday by sources familiar with the situation. However, an official announcement from the UFC is still pending. The exact reason for Dalby’s withdrawal has not yet been disclosed, leaving fans wondering what might have led to this last-minute switch.
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos Set to Face New Opponent After Nicolas Dalby Withdraws
Dos Santos (28-4-1 MMA, 10-4-1 UFC) is in need of a win to get back on track after a challenging couple of bouts. He hasn’t seen victory in his last two outings. In November 2023, he fought Rinat Fakhretdinov to a draw and later suffered a unanimous decision loss to Randy Brown in June. This fight at UFC Fight Night 247 represents a crucial opportunity for dos Santos to regain momentum in the welterweight division.
On the other hand, Scroggin (7-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) is stepping into the UFC spotlight for the first time, holding an impressive undefeated record. With seven professional wins and five finishes, he has shown his capability to end fights decisively. As the reigning welterweight champion of the FAC, Scroggin is eager to make an impression on one of MMA’s biggest stages.
Here’s a look at the full fight card for UFC Fight Night 247:
Main Card (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET):
- Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates
- Cody Garbrandt vs. Miles Johns
- Denise Gomes vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz
- Bernardo Sopaj vs. Ricky Turcios
- Reinier de Ridder vs. Gerald Meerschaert
- Luana Pinheiro vs. Gillian Robertson
Preliminary Card (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET):
- Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Zach Scroggin
- Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Dusko Todorovic
- Charlie Radtke vs. Matthew Semelsberger
- Da’Mon Blackshear vs. Cody Stamann
- Melissa Mullins vs. Klaudia Sygula
- Gaston Bolanos vs. Cortavious Romious
- Tresean Gore vs. Antonio Trocoli
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images