Another Blow to UFC 318 as Promising Middleweight Prospect Withdraws Due To Foot Injury
The UFC 318 card has taken a hit.
Originally set to deliver fireworks in the middleweight division, the bout between Ikram Aliskerov and Brunno Ferreira has now been scrapped.
The highly anticipated July 19 clash in Las Vegas was expected to showcase Aliskerov’s continued climb up the rankings. But the fight won’t be happening—at least not now.
Aliskerov’s Rise Halted by Injury
Ikram Aliskerov, known for his explosive striking and dominant ground game, was coming off an impressive win streak and building momentum within the UFC.
Many viewed the fight against Ferreira as a pivotal moment—one that could position the Russian closer to a top-10 matchup.
But on June 30, Aliskerov confirmed he’s out of UFC 318 due to a broken toe sustained during training camp.
This news was first reported by Yahoo Sports and later shared by several MMA outlets and reporters on X (formerly Twitter).
“I’m out. Broken foot. I’ll be back,” Aliskerov said in a short but clear social media post.
UFC 318 Card
| Bout | Weight Class |
|---|---|
| Max Holloway vs. Dustin Poirier | Lightweight (155 lbs) |
| Dan Ige vs. Patricio Pitbull | Featherweight (145 lbs) |
| Paulo Costa vs. Roman Kopylov | Middleweight (185 lbs) |
| Michael Johnson vs. Daniel Zellhuber | Lightweight (155 lbs) |
| Marvin Vettori vs. Brendan Allen | Middleweight (185 lbs) |
| Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez | Welterweight (170 lbs) |
| Neil Magny vs. Gunnar Nelson | Welterweight (170 lbs) |
| Adam Fugitt vs. Islam Dulatov | Welterweight (170 lbs) |
| Kyler Phillips vs. Vinicius Oliveira | Bantamweight (135 lbs) |
| Jimmy Crute vs. Marcin Prachnio | Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) |
| Francisco Prado vs. Nikolay Veretennikov | Welterweight (170 lbs) |
| Carli Judice vs. Nicolle Caliari | Women’s Flyweight (125 lbs) |
| Ryan Spann vs. Lukasz Brzeski | Heavyweight (265 lbs) |
Note: The middleweight bout affected by the recent withdrawal has been removed from the card pending further updates.
What It Means for UFC 318
UFC 318, already carrying the weight of a deep main card, now faces the challenge of finding a new opponent for Ferreira or removing the bout entirely.
The loss of Aliskerov stings, as fans were eager to see how he would handle Ferreira’s wild striking and unorthodox style.
The event, scheduled for July 19, 2025, in Las Vegas, has already seen multiple adjustments. Recently, other shakeups around International Fight Week included Ilia Topuria’s stunning first-round KO win over Charles Oliveira and Alexandre Pantoja surpassing Demetrious Johnson’s records.
Will Ferreira Stay on the Card?
Brunno Ferreira is known for his aggressive style and heavy hands. With a record of 11-1, he was preparing for his toughest test yet in Aliskerov.
Now, he and his team must wait to see whether the UFC finds a late-replacement opponent.
Ferreira last fought in February, where he scored a knockout victory. Fans can still hope to see him in action, as the UFC often manages quick replacements during high-profile weeks like this one.
Middleweight Picture Remains Fluid
The middleweight division continues to evolve with names like Dricus Du Plessis, Robert Whittaker, and rising prospects like Ikram Aliskerov pushing forward.
Unfortunately, Aliskerov’s setback may delay his march toward the top. He now joins a growing list of UFC fighters forced to pause their momentum due to injury—adding to the recent headlines, like Ilia Topuria’s post-fight promise to the UFC or Dana White’s criticism of fighter callouts.
As of now, UFC has not officially announced a replacement for Aliskerov. Stay tuned for updates on Ferreira’s next move and any possible changes to the UFC 318 fight card.
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