Gesias Cavalcante Forced Off WSOF 8 with Injury; Justin Gaethje Awaits New Opponent

A day after the World Series of Fighting announced plans for its inaugural lightweight title fight, one of the hopefuls for the belt is forced off the card.

Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante has suffered an undisclosed injury and will be unable to fight Justin Gaethje at WSOF 8, MMAWeekly.com confirmed with matchmaker Ali Abdel-Aziz and President Ray Sefo. MMAJunkie.com was first to report news of the injury.

Abdel-Aziz added that Gaethje will still fight for a title on the Jan. 18 card. A new opponent is currently being sought.

Cavalcante was coming into the fight fresh off a win over UFC veteran Tyson Griffin. The title fight with Gaethje was supposed to be a rematch of their WSOF 2 tilt, a bout lost by “JZ” due to a cut that forced a doctor’s stoppage in the first round.

A finisher, Gaethje is unbeaten in MMA at 10-0 with nine of his wins coming within the time allowed.

WSOF 8 will take place in Hollywood, Fla. at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

(Ken Pishna contributed to this report.)