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UFC Fight Night 97 canceled in wake of BJ Penn injury

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has canceled its entire UFC Fight Night 97 mixed martial arts (MMA) event on UFC Fight Pass, scheduled for Oct. 15, 2016 inside SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.

“I suffered a rib injury in training and I apologize to the fans in Manila who were expecting to watch me compete," Penn said in today’s release. “I hope to be back in the Octagon soon.”

UFC “Manila” joins UFC 151 and UFC 176 on the not-so-prestigious list of axed events.

With the event scrapped, the remaining fighters will be paid their “show” money and rebooked for future events; however, the UFC calendar is complete for the remainder of 2016 (see it here), so it may be tough to accommodate each and every combatant.