Matt Hamill withdraws from WSOF 19, Thiago Silva now faces Teddy Holder

Matt Hamill

Just hours before he was set to return from retirement, Matt Hamill (11-5) has withdrawn from tonight’s WSOF 19 event.

WSOF rep Mike Afromowitz announced the change on Twitter. MMAjunkie subsequently confirmed with WSOF officials it was an illness that forced Hamill out of the bout.

News of the removal came just moments after the start of WSOF 19, which takes place at Phoenix’s Comerica Theatre. The main card airs live on NBCSN at 9 p.m. ET.

The withdrawal forced a series of changes on tonight’s event.

Hamill’s intended opponent, Thiago Silva (16-3), now faces Teddy Holder (8-1), who was scheduled to fight Jake Heun (7-3). Meanwhile, Heun gets Clifford Starks (10-2), who was scheduled to fight Eddie Arizmendi (15-6).

Arizmendi goes without a fight but is expected to receive his contracted show and win money.

With the changes, the WSOF 19 lineup now includes:

MAIN CARD (NBCSN, 9 p.m. ET)

• Champ Justin Gaethje vs. Luis Palomino – for lightweight title
• Teddy Holder vs. Thiago Silva – light heavyweight tourney opening round
• Jake Heun vs. Clifford Starks – light heavyweight tourney reserve bout
• Timur Valiev vs. Ed West

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMAjunkie, 6 p.m. ET)

• Benny Madrid vs. Jimmy Spicuzza
• Joseph Gigliotti vs. Brendan Tierney
• Juan Archuleta vs. Andres Ponce
• Israel Aquino vs. Dan Huber
• Matthew Frincu vs. Eric Regen
• Erik Villalobos vs. Joe Madrid

For more on WSOF 19, check out the MMA Events section of the site.