Dana White's emergency plan for UFC 334 revealed as statement issued
The UFC have confirmed the back-up fighter plans in case of an emergency pull out for UFC 334.
In just over one week, newly-crowned champion Ciryl Gane will defend his UFC heavyweight belt from the controversial Josh Hokit, with women's MMA GOAT Amanda Nunes challenging bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison in the co-main event.
Ahead of the card, set to take place at the iconic Madison Square Garden in New York, it's been revealed that UFC boss Dana White has put an emergency plan in place with a backup fighters for the card confirmed.
READ MORE: UFC heavyweight title picture 2026: Ciryl Gane, contenders and what happens next
UFC confirm back-up fighters for UFC 334 as emergency plan revealed
Given the controversial nature of how Gane won the UFC heavyweight title and outlandish comments Hokit has made in the buildup, there will certainly be a lot of eyes on the main event at UFC 334 on November 14.
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But it's clearly not this fight that has UFC CEO and President White worried, as the UFC have now confirmed that they have booked women’s bantamweight contender Joselyne Edwards as a back-up fighter for the co-main event.
The fight will see Harrison make her first defence of the 135lbs title against arguably the most popular female fighter in UFC history and former featherweight two-time bantamweight champion, Nunes.
Harrison and Nunes had originally been booked to fight back in January at UFC 324, but the bout was called off after Harrison was forced to withdraw with a neck injury.
The fight will be Harrison's first since winning the belt via submission, beating former champion Juliana Pena in June last year.
Meanwhile Nunes is set to return for the first time since calling time on her career more than three years ago in June 2023, having done so to recover from what was a highly active reign in the UFC.
It therefore makes sense that the UFC might want to ensure that they're prepared for the worst case scenario of another withdrawal, with Edwards in place to step in to ensure the division can move on.
Edwards boasts an 18-6 professional record and heads into the fight off the back of five consecutive fights, including four finishes, most recently beating Norma Dumont by unanimous decision.
READ MORE: Why UFC star Josh Hokit is training with pepper spray ahead of heavyweight title fight
Joselyne Edwards releases statement as back-up spot for UFC 334 confirmed
Although it is most likely that both Harrison and Nunes now stay fit with just over a week to go until fight night, the news has clearly been welcomed by Edwards as it cements her place as next in line for a bantamweight title shot.
“Who else? No other girl has done what I’ve done with my winning streak. I’m winning, and winning decisively – knockouts, finishes," she told MMAjunkie.com.
"I said, ‘If not me, who else? I don’t see any other option. … I don’t wish anyone bad. If the fight doesn’t happen, ok, but the winner has to fight me.
"I don’t wish for any of them to get injured, but if they can’t fight, I’ll be there, ready. Whoever wishes bad on someone, that comes back to you."
Regardless of what happens at UFC 334, we can therefore expect to see Edwards fighting for the belt sometime soon, with her spot facing the winner of Harrison v Nunes all but certain.
Even if Harrison or Nunes decide to retire following the bout, it's likely Edwards will be handed a shot at the vacant belt next time out.
Topics: MMA, Dana White, UFC
Ben McCrum
