LAS VEGAS -- A heavyweight bout between Stefan Struve and Matt Mitrione at UFC 175 was canceled at the last minute Saturday night after Struve fainted in his locker room at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Struve, 26, was attempting to fight for the first time since he was diagnosed with a bicuspid aortic valve -- a rare heart disorder that disrupts blood flow.
UFC president Dana White announced the fight was off on Twitter via the SportsCenter feed.
"Stefan Struve blacked out in the locker room. He has elevated heart rate and is out of the fight. I'd never risk his health." #DanaCenter
- SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 6, 2014
According to White, Struve was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.
The UFC released the following statement on the situation: "Stefan Struve suffered a non-life threatening, near-fainting spell backstage. Afterwards, the medical team did not feel he was fit to compete. With his health and safety in mind, he's been removed from the card and is currently under the care of the medical staff."
In May, Stuve (25-6) received medical clearance to compete again in Los Angeles. He has not fought since suffering a TKO loss to Mark Hunt in March 2013.
