'Medication' clearance issue moves Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Brandon Thatch to UFC 196

A welterweight bout planned for this month’s UFC Fight Night 83 event has instead been pushed back 13 days and will take place at UFC 196, instead.

UFC officials today announced that Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Brandon Thatch has been rescheduled for the March 5 event in Las Vegas, blaming a “Rukus” inability to gain clearance for needed medication for the change.

“The UFC Fight Night welterweight bout between Brandon Thatch and Siyar Bahadurzada, scheduled for Feb. 21 in Pittsburgh, has been moved to the UFC 196 event in Las Vegas on March 5,” the statement reads. “Thatch, who is using a medication permitted under the UFC/USADA, WADA and Nevada State Athletic Commission anti-doping rules, was unable to obtain the necessary clearance from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission. The Colorado fighter and his team have been in communication with the UFC and USADA throughout this process, and the required paperwork for licensing in Nevada has been filed.

“UFC Fight Night in Pittsburgh will proceed as scheduled with 13 bouts.”

Citing medical privacy issues, UFC officials were unable to offer further information when contacted by MMAjunkie for comment.

Additionally, representatives for both the Nevada State Athletic Commission and Pennsylvania Athletic Commission were not immediately avaialble for comment.

UFC 196 takes place March 5 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.

“The Great” Bahadurzada (21-6-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC) returns from more than two years away from the sport as he looks to snap a two-fight octagon losing streak. “Rukus” Thatch (11-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) is in a similar position, earning a pair of wins to start his UFC career but then dropping consecutive outings to Gunnar Nelson and Benson Henderson.

For more on UFC Fight Night 83 and UFC 196, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.