Manager explains Tom Breese's late removal from UFC Fight Night 107 in London

LONDON – An issue with his heart rate apparently was the culprit behind Tom Breese’s last-minute withdrawal from today’s UFC Fight Night 107 event.

Breese (10-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) was expected to make his middleweight debut against Oluwale Bamgbose (6-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) on the UFC Fight Pass-streamed card at The O2 in London. But just moments after the broadcast began, UFC commentators John Gooden and Dan Hardy informed viewers Breese was off the card.

Little information was provided as to why Breese could not step into the octagon against Bamgbose. The broadcasters simply explained he was “unfit to compete.”

But Breese’s manager, Graham Boylan, gave some insight into the situation in a statement released to MMAjunkie during the event today.

“Tom’s heart rate was very high and the pre-event build up raised it to levels which left him questioning if he was ready to compete tonight,” Boylan said.

Breese, 25, spent his first four UFC appearances in the welterweight division. After suffering his first career loss against Sean Strickland at UFC 199 this past June, he opted to make a change and jump up a weight class. Bamgbose was meant to be his introductory fight at 185 pounds.

Whether Breese’s medical issue is a one-time thing or a more serious matter that could put his future in jeopardy is not known. Boylan did not comment in depth about his client’s future other than to say he will meet with Breese in the coming days to discuss his options.

“I’ll sit down with Tom this week and see where we go from here,” Boylan said. “Thank you for the support.”

For complete coverage of UFC Fight Night 107, check out the UFC Events section of the site.